Pomodoro Pizza - Kapitolyo

Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato.

O di ba??? Ni-research ko yan!! But wait.. there's no more. The research ends there.

I met with Allen, one of my friends from a previous office, at Robinsons Pioneer earlier and we agreed to eat pasta.

I decided we can't settle for franchise today. Allen and I have not seen each other for a long time and this meeting deserves a proper indie restaurant brunch.

So, yes. I decided to google the words: kapitolyo pasta.

And just like that, I found the proper indie pizza/pasta restaurant brunch place.

Pomodoro is along Santa Rosa St., near San Rafael St.h In Kapitolyo.

Driving directions: step on the gas and keep your eyes on the road.

No seriously, get your smartphone and google map the place. It's safer that way than get directions from me.

It's a pretty small place so keep an eye out for the green tarp in front of the store.

It was a very comfortable humble abode with the pizza place feel.

I love the classic simplicity of plaid tablecloth and monoblock chairs.

Framed optimistic thoughts line the few spaces available for ornaments. It's not the first time I've seen these thoughts hanged on a wall, but who cares? Optimism never runs out of fashion.

Creamy Tuna Pasta, P119.

Bataan Tinapa Pasta in Olive Oil, P99.

Ultimate Pizza 10", P179.

They have the 'saktong middle class, wag mo lang araw-arawin kung ayaw mo maging lower middle class' price range.

Allen and I each ordered our own choice of pasta and shared the 10" ultimate pizza. About P200 each.

Everything tasted wonderful. The pizza was cheese heaven. The bataan tinapa pasta a mixture of salty tinapa and sweet tomatoes. And the tuna pasta was creamy.

Nothing tasted over the top. Taste buds are calm and satisfied and we were 'the right kind of full' after everything. Not glutonous.

Doesn't break the bank, nor the diet. :)

It was a very satisfying brunch.

Ally's All Day Breakfast

It was a Monday morning and most places in Maginhawa are closed for the day or opens for brunch.

My college brods and I met at seven and decided to have breakfast in one of the neighbor independent restaurants in Malingap.

Unfortunately, because of the early morning Monday traffic, one of my favorite brods, Mark, and his wife, Len, were not able to join us until 9am. This was blessing in disguise.

We decided to hop over to Ally's for lunch for a change of atmosphere and what a delightful change it was.

Ally's opens at 8am and is also located in Malingap. The walls are a homey, comfortable yellow decorated with framed notes on positivity.

You'll see the sun smiling at you right smack center and as though it is responsible for the surrounding yellow walls.

On one side of the restaurant, it says I 💓 BREAKFAST and I do! I really do. And Ally's is now one of the reasons I do.

They have quite a big selection of rice breakfasts and pancakes. I ordered the tocilog and shared a design-your-own waffle/pancake with my brods.

I'm not a picky eater but I love it when food is served with thought. My rice breakfast looked so darling; I wanted to kiss the kamatis.

The presentation makes it feel like it was served with my happiness in mind.

Tocino is supposed to taste good any morning. And that morning, it tasted better.

This costs only P120 and includes iced tea; a drink upgrade to coffee costs P20.

Design-your-own Waffle: The Masanghaya Waffle.

Design-your-own's are big with independent restaurants these days and Ally's got the design-your-own waffle thing.

I shared one with my brods and decided to name it with our class name: The Masanghaya Waffle.

Sorry, I had no idea what my brods put on it but photo-wise there are bananas, whip cream, cheese and another fruit. This costed a little over P250.

I think a pancake is good if it is good on its own - even without the toppings. Otherwise, I would've opted for a less expensive bread.

Now, if you have tasted Kanto Freestyle pancakes, you'll have a high standard on how a pancake should taste like. And Ally's pancakes, they pass that standard with flying colors.

Goofing around with the syrup.

I have no idea what was so funny then but we were all laughing as Eric poured syrup and Gela commentated on how like the sports commentator that she is and as though pouring syrup is a sport. I think, other than we're really sa crazy bunch, the atmosphere in Ally's allow good vibes to come quick and makes laughter very easy.
I think this is the way a breakfast place should be.

#BoycottBench

I've been seeing a lot of articles about the recently held Bench Naked Truth fashion show but I have not been reading any since I'm not very interested in lingerie or half-naked bodies walking down runways.

I was grossed out by a photo of Jake Cuenca and his bulge on my news feed but ignored it since he seemed to like what he was doing anyway. It's his body and if he wants to flaunt it like that, I may disagree or be grossed out but that's his body and his decision.

The photo above though...

I saw this photo on a shared link to PlumPinay's blog.
 http://www.theplumpinay.com/2014/09/the-naked-truth-about-naked-truth.html?m=1

I was reading the article but stopped when I saw this. It was disbelief at first, denial. Then, anger.

What the foxtrot!!!!!

Why would you think this? This is absolutely hurtful. Mga wala kayong pakundangan. Mga bastos.

Who purchases your girly scents, Bench? Who purchases your lady jeans and shirts? Who purchases you femme lingerie? Who buys bras from you?

And this is how you show your gratitude for your market? By disrespecting us?

There was an article made by GMA Network regarding the disapproval of Gabriela's Liza Maza to this stint and it is so disappointing that instead of agreeing that there must be action taken, people start bashing Liza Maza and Gabriela, and starts protrcting Coco Martin.

What idiosyncracy!

This is not about Gabriela. This is not about Coco Martin. This is not about Liza Maza. It is about the portrayal of women in this act.

A half-naked woman on a leash being walked by a full-clothed man.

A woman stripped of dignity, under the power of a man, inhumanely treated. And this man, society sees him to be dignified amidst this act.

Hindi niyo ba nakukuha yung simbolismo??

On Plum Pinay's blog, someone commented:

if you don't like the product, don't buy it. if you don't like the show, don't watch. but don't try to stop those who want these stuff. it's like you hate those people who eat lechon just because you're a muslim. 

So if I don't like rape, then I should not rape anyone but should not feel disgust for people who rape. That's your message?

I have this thing about messages and messengers, that we must not hate the messengers when we hate the message. But, really, Coco and gymnast girl, have you no principles?

Pfft.

It must be flattering for Bench to get so much attention these days. And to let them feel their triumph, we must assure them that their "fashion show" definitely has an impact. Therefore... let us: #boycottbench

Kanto Freestyle - Kapitolyo

Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes

Finally, a photo of pancakes!

A morning of energy.

Set in the garage of a residential establishment, the loud chatter of the people occupying the tables close-by echoes throughout the place.

It was the perfect upbeat breakfast place. 😊

The Fault in "If I Stay"

I'm no movie critic so I don't really have much credibility in reviewing movies. I just wanna let out my blab since... well, thisIS my blog.

I am a romantic. No, seriously. I am. Amidst the "you can't touch me" facade, I do like the cheesy things. I like fast lines that strike an arrow to the heart. Lines here may have been quite right. But it's forgetable because the delivery is so bland. I say voice coach for the leads, please. Why can the supporting actors deliver lines convincingly and the leads are lagging behind?

Leading actress. Darling, you are so pretty. All you need now are acting skills. And a voice coach. Your brother just died and all you can do is a squeaky "no." I begin to doubt if you really wanted him to live.

I have seen Reese Witherspoon in Just Like Heaven. Also, seen The Fault in Our Stars. And with the horribly close plots, I can't help but compare. And this movie does not even compare.

I have a problem with the camera angles. I have no idea what my problem is with it. It just seems like the cameras need to be in a different position or should be focused on a subject.

Anyhow. Final say? Bad movie. Bad, bad.

Buti na Lang Hindi ka Mag-e-end Up With Someone Gago.

Sabi niya umiiyak daw siya. 

Kasi naalala niya yung nakaraan. 

At umiiyak siya dahil nalulungkot siya 

Dahil tapos na tapos na. 

Mabait yon. 

Mabait na bata. 

At siguro, yon siya... 

Bata. 

Bata pa. 

* * *

Sana malaman mo lang...

Isang araw, tatanda ka rin. 

Isang araw, hindi mo na yan papansinin. 

Isang araw, maiilang ka na lang kapag naisip mo. 

Dahil isang araw, hihinto rin yang nararamdaman mo

para kay gago. 

Malalaman mo rin

na pinanganak kang mag-isa at mamamatay kang mag-isa. 

At kahit minsan masaya na merong kasama, 

ang buhay mo ay hindi lang para sa iba. 

Pero... 

Sige, umiyak ka. 

Umiyak ka,

para mabigyan mo yan ng wakas

pero alalahanin mong meron pang bukas.

Bukas, bumangon ka 

at gumawa ka ng mga pangarap

kung anong gusto mo maging 

... mangarap ka kahit mahirap.

Isulat mo kung anong gusto mo maging sa mundo, 

at sa buhay ng ibang tao.

Dahil kahit gano ka kagaling o katalino

kelangan mo ng plano -

Masalimuot ang pakikipagsapalaran sa sikolohiya ng mundo.

Hindi ko naman talaga alam kung anong sasabihin ko, 

Wala naman kasi talaga akong ex na gago. 

Pero sasabihin ko lahat ng kaya kong sabihin. 

Para tumahan ka at maramdaman mong mahalaga ka sa akin.

Bago umuwi

Sabi mo, mahal mo. 

Oo, sabi ko. 

Siguro mahal mo. 

Kasi naniniwala ako 

na kung hindi na praktikal pero gusto mo, 

mahal mo. 

Wag kang mag-alala, 

matatapos din yan

dahil ang pag-ibig, 

hindi magtatagal kung ikaw lang.

At alalahanin mo,

Na hindi mo kakulangan kung siya'y gago.

Hindi mo kasalanan kung siya'y tarantado

Hindi mo pagkakamali kung siya yung malabo.

Wag kang manghinayang dahil wala kang panghihinayangan.

Ang mga taong ganon dapat talaga pinapabayaan,

Mahalin mo ang sarili mo.

At isipin mo, 

"Buti na lang!

Hindi ka mag-e-end up with someone gago."

Hintayan

Original post on: http://sangkaterbangwhat.wordpress.com/ May 14, 2014 by kapayapaanphotography/IE SINDAYEN


Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kelan na lang kaya gusto kong magmadali,
Pero gusto kong maging tama.

Bakit nga ba no?
Bakit pag mabilis, iniisip nating hindi tama?

Kaya pinipigilan natin.
Naghihintay.
Naghihintay nang naghihintay,
Nang naghihintay.

Hindi ba uso yung:
Kung tama, hindi magiging ganon kahirap.

Kunsabagay.
Pwede namang mabagal, pero hindi mahirap.
Matagal, pero hindi mahirap.
Hindi mabilis, pero madali.

An open letter to those who say we "TOOK THEIR JOBS.".

The following is an open letter to those who say we TOOK THEIR JOBS.


Dear asshole,

The stupidity of this claim is beyond me. 

Took your jobs? Your guys brought jobs here. We didn’t ask them to. 

American companies brought the jobs here because it takes so much to pay you to do something; a third of the salary of one of you guys is a high-paying job for us.

What did we do? We allowed them to bring the jobs here. 

What would you have done? Now that employment is down in your country, if Germany proposed to introduce an industry that will give your people high-paying jobs, will you tell them to stay in Germany and give the jobs to Germans?

You want to be mad because the jobs are here? If you want to be mad at us, you can think about what I just said. 

If you want to be mad at the companies who take their businesses here, think about this: If a company can afford to pay one American for every 15 customers; and they have the option to hire three Filipinos instead. That means that if they take the three Filipinos, you would come fifth to be served. And if they take one American, you will be fifteenth. If they chose to give the job to that one American, will you be willing to wait your turn?

This is happening because a lot of you guys are so fucking demanding. Most of you guys don’t know how to wait their turn. 

Some of you depend on your government too much and whine about how everything can’t be spoon fed to you by your great American government.

Why don’t you leave your country, find a job in a different country like we do? Or maybe, you should be the ones wiping the asses of your old folks so that we won’t ‘take your jobs.’

Some of you think so low of other nations because you think so highly of America. Go beyond what your media projects in movies and look at your country and be conscious of the attitudes of many of your people towards other nations, towards other people and even towards those of your own. 

Then, let me know if you’re proud of yourselves, racist assholes.





+++ Only for racist assholes. Please, non-racist asshole, do not bitch unnecessarily.

Complete story on: http://whiteshoesandbluejeans.blogspot.com/2014/09/mr-fcking-malone.html

Kainan Au Gusto by Cafe Juanita - Kapitolyo

Brighten your day with sun and color.

I love dining out with friends.  

These days, I usually go home from work, order something from a nearby store for dinner and retire for the day. Or, must I say, go online until it's way past my bedtime and attempt to retire for the day. 

So, when I received my travel buddy's invite for an impromptu breakfast at Kapitolyo, I said yes immediately. 

I've never been to Kapitolyo prior to this date and what best way to explore an area than with a friend who's a photographer, traveler, foodie and blogger rolled into one? My ultimate girl crush: Jaja :)

With Me Ultimate Girl Crush :)

Being the Pasig girl, Ja is familiar with Kapitolyo so she served as tour guide as well.

We entered what looked like a house from outside and found ourselves inside an enchanted place. (Haha!)

Kainan Au Gusto definitely has a lot to offer curious eyes. They had quite a collection. Old plates, lamps, anito, chairs, figurines, piano, bags...

And the feel, there's this 'feel' that sets it apart. 

The irony of being very comfortable in a new place. 

We were allowed to wander about like kids lost in a playground of history. 

Animismo

Manganen

Ang Payasong Malungkot

I have no photo of the food, I didn't find anything special with how it was presented or how it tastes. But to be fair, the place near my house where I buy my very cheap dinner almost everyday employ great cooks and it is going to be hard for other stores to compete. (I'll post something about them soon.) Besides, I don't care much about food when my eyes are full.

Food here is just a little higher than the normal carinderia price - except for beef - around P70, I think. Sorry, I can't really remember.

There are also quite a number of choices - if you come in around 9am. (We got there too early.)

With the choices, the price and the comfort, I'd say it's a qualified everyday breakfast place.

Comfy Breakfast Corner

Menu of the Day

Inuman na. 

Customary Foot Selfie. 

Homey =>

Ilaw sa Asotea?

Mukha silang malungkot. Baka ngayon din lang nila nalaman na hindi pusa si Hello Kitty. 

Mirror Selfie

Kapayapaan, The Tattoo and Its Meaning.

I have long wanted to be inked but I never had a concrete design in mind.

At first, I wanted it on my hand. A discrete, delicately-crawling, aesthetically-pleasing tribal tattoo that would run from the root of the nails to the base of the hand.

Kitchie Nadal and her finger tattoo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redsago/531462034/

I was discouraged however because almost every time I say I intend to have my hand inked, people would respond with "Oh, like Kitchie Nadal."

I have nothing against Kitchie Nadal. I actually think she rocks. But I do not want my ink to be seen to be influenced by or, much worse, copied from the idea of another artist.

I want my tattoo to be unique and original.

I also considered having a my whole hand covered with detailed and feminine tribal tattoo. That kind of design will definitely separate my tat from the thought of Kitchie Nadal's finger tattoo.

Detailed Hand Tatttoo
http://tattooshut.com/t/mehndi/

But I belong to no tribe, have not gone to see one and does not know of any that I wish to belong to. So having a tribal hand tattoo, no matter how aesthetically pleasing it may be, may be meaningless.

I think among the problems with having a tattoo is that most times people do not put much effort into thinking about what to get inked on their skin that sometimes, catastrophically, some get permanently marked with something meaningless or something that looks more like dirt than art.

Last April (2011,) my friend asked me to accompany her while she gets her second tattoo.

She was gonna have her calves inked with the symbol more popularly known as the 'Power of Three' because of the series 'Charmed.'

Turns out, this symbol is called the Triquetra and is a sign of female power.

I wasn't getting a tattoo that day. But for some reason, I have started to think about what tattoo design I would like inked on my skin.

Symbols don't appeal much to me. Tribal tattoos most times mean nothing. I do not want anything I do not understand inked on my body, so definitely nothing in chinese or arabic.

I want to be able to see my tattoo everyday, like a reminder. And I needed it to be something I need. A reminder I need.

And then, the brilliant idea came. I wanted to be marked with peace or in my language:'Kapayapaan.'

I wanted it on my forearm so that I can see it effortlessly everyday. Like a reminder to always seek peace.

I started tracing the letters of 'Kapayapaan' on my forearm as I was seated on the bus, on the way to meeting my friend.

I met with my friend and commuted to where the tattoo artist was.

It was the home of my friend's officemate. We were treated to home-cooked meal of soup and rice before the inking started.

They were very friendly and soon I was drawn to get my tat that day. I looked up different fonts for my tattoo and found Scriptina to be perfect font for my purpose.

I decided to get inked that day.



My friend's officemate and the artist seemed both glad and surprised that I was smiling almost the entire time I was getting tattooed. They asked me a few times if it did not hurt. It did hurt, but when I smile I didn't seem to feel it much. So, I smiled as much as I could.

It took a few hours to finish but I was glad with the result.

Kapayapaan, as I plainly call my tat, is a great conversation starter. I have been approached and spoken to by strangers on multiple occasions because of it.

Other people appreciate the fact that I have a tattoo. Other people appreciate that it is a big tattoo. Other people appreciate that I am a girl and I have a big tattoo. Other people with tattoos appreciate that we have something in common. Other people appreciate the design. Other people appreciate the message.


It's not a complicated message. It's not a symbol or something written in a language we can't understand.

One time though, someone asked me what it meant.

I appreciated the question because it's, after all, what we want and yet, simple as it is, we have different views of what it really means.

These days, there are even some people who have the assumption that, with this inked on my arm, I will no longer stand up for myself or others.

Because you see, some people mistake "not fighting for your rights" as peace. That is among the most ignorant assumptions I have ever come across and I will not let that point of view go between me and justice.

Real peace comes when you have won after fighting for what is right. It is not achieved in silence or with murmured ramblings while you wait for injustice to fade.

Peace comes with justice but you need to fight for it because seldom does justice just come around - you can't just wait for it to happen.

Peace is not about agreeing to everything. It is agreeing to what is right and fighting against what is wrong. And we must all find the strength to fight for real peace. Because peace is not achieved by being ignorant, lazy or scared of fighting for what is right.

On one occasion, an officemate asked for my opinion on what he should choose to get inked on his skin. And I said: Ink on your skin, what you want to have in your life.


+ I will forever fight for real peace.

Original Post: 11/17/11 8:43 PM, http://diyandiyanlang.blogspot.com/

Tara Nang Matakot Nang Magkasama

Original Post: Tara na, Facebook Notes, 5 January 2011 at 15:50
--------


Takot ako,
at natatakot akong natatakot ka.
natatakot akong natatakot kang natatakot ako.
Kaya, tara na't matakot ng magkasama.

Tara na't lumangoy palaot,
upang malaman kung may salbabidang magliligtas sa atin doon.
At kung wala'y malunod ng magkasama,
sa laot na kasing lalim ng ating pagsinta.


+ everyone is scared. there are just times that we must realize that some things are worth the courage.

I 'm not asking you to stay.

Originally posted as: Do not question me of whether I want you or just need you... because  I am not asking you to stay. on Facebook Notes, 27 January 2010 at 09:09
__________

Do not question me 

of whether I want you or just need you 

because I am not asking you to stay.

I am not asking you to stay, 

not because I want you to leave, 

but because I do not want to be selfish.

I am not the kind 

who will stand between you 

and victory. 

And although, 

In your quest, 

We are not assured 

that you will turn out victorious, 

we will never know 

if you will not take a step forward.

Tears fall because of this anticipated yet sudden goodbye. 

Yet, 

If I am to be among those who will be deemed casualty to your quest, 

I will be a willing sacrifice.

I will miss you dearly 

Not because I need you, 

But because you have been part 

Of a few months of a different kind of friendship. 

I am not asking you to stay... 

But don't leave without a word, 

and never say goodbye.

I only keep true friends

Original Post: Facebook Notes, 21 March 2010 at 22:41
------------

You're now part of the past, my friend;
A list of people who offered no help but volunteered judgment,
Among the mistakes that I obliviously committed,
One of the lies that I was so blinded to recognize.

But there's been a break in the darkness and I am now able to see
the error that has been untracked for so long.
Now, I'm burning bridges and moving on.

Year of the Rabbit

Original Post: Ukol sa Year of the Rabbit
on Facebook Notes, 25 January 2011 at 10:09
---------

Hop, hop, hop - Gawi ng kuneho. Talon lang ng talon. Biglang nasa taas, tapos sa isang iglap nasa baba na. Tapos, taas ulit. Yan ang andar ng buhay natin.

Sana hindi mapagod ang kuneho... Kasi walang kunehong kayang magpahinga ng nasa taas.

Mga Resolusyon Noong 2010.

Originally posted as: Hindi na. On Facebook Notes, 22 January 2010 at 08:30
-----------


Magiging makabuluhan nga siguro ang taong 2010 para sa akin. Siguro nga, sa taong to, marami akong matututunan.

Maaga pa lang meron nang malupit na lesson in life na pinapamukha sa akin ang 2010. Isa to sa mga bagay na matagal ko nang sinasalaksak sa ulo ko, pinapangaral sa sarili ko, sinasabing tatandaan at aalalahanin pero pinapabayaan pa din, nagri-risk... Tapos, pumapalya.

At pag pumalya, gustuhin ko mang isisi sa lahat ng may kasalanan, alam ko sa dulo, bago ako matulog, sisisihin ko pa rin ang sarili ko.

Maaga pa lang sa taon, marami na akong mali. May mga kamalian na dala ng mga katangahang nagawa noong nakalipas na taon at may mga kamaliang nataong nagawa ko sa mga nakalipas na araw.

Maling tiwala, maling diskarte, maling pakikisama, maling pag-asa, mali, mali, mali...

Isang mahabang listahan ng kamalian, isang mahabang pila ng katangahan.

Alam ko, hindi ko din matutupad to hanggang dulo pero, siguro hanggang kaya kong tuparin, tutuparin ko. Para sa sarili ko at para na rin sa mundo, para di na ako masyadong masasaktan sa susunod - o makasakit.

Makikinig na ako sa pakiramdam ko. Yung instinct. Yung kutob. Walang basehan, walang eksplenasyon, walang lohika... Basta pag pakiramdam ko, mali - tama na. Ayoko nang ipilit na bigyan ng pag-asa yung mga bagay na sa pakiramdam ko hindi naman maganda ang kahihinatnan.

No more second chances. Di na ako magri-reach out sa mga taong hindi ko feel sa umpisa, para lang subukan na baka hindi ko lang nakikita yung kagandahan sa kanila. Kung hindi ko makita, hindi ko makita. Kung pakiramdam ko di ko makakasundo, di ko ipipilit. Di ako yuyuko, di ako makikisama, di ako makikibagay, di ako magpaparaya, di ako magbibigay. Hindi lahat ng tao pwede kong maging kaibigan. Mas maganda nang pabayaan nang hindi ko maging kaibigan ang isang tao kesa maging kaaway ko lang siya pagkatapos ko siyang bigyan ng pansin.

Tama na rin ang mabilisang pagtitiwala - lalo na pag may duda. Ipagdadamot ko na ang pagtitiwala. Hindi rin naman dapat yon ipinamamahagi na parang campaign paraphernalia. Hindi lahat ng tao deserve yon. Hindi ko na pipilitin ang sarili ko na ibigay yon sa lahat ng tao.

Maraming senyales at babasahin ko lahat. Hindi na ako magpapabaya sa mga signos na binabato ng mundo. Kapag naramdaman kong may hindi tama sa isang bagay, hindi ko na yon itutuloy.

Hindi na ako magpapaliwanag ng kasing dalas. Wala akong pakealam kung hindi niyo maintindihan. Ang layunin ko sa mundo ay hindi para mabuhay sa uri ng pamumuhay na maiintindihan ng lahat.

Tattoos and Friends

Original Post on Facebook Notes, 30 May 2010 at 15:36
----------------

Real friendship takes time.

You meet people, strike a conversation and make the decision to interact with this particular person in the future. Out of convenience, you meet again, converse again, share more thoughts and relate to each other. After a few more meetings, a few more conversations, a few more shared thoughts, you make the decision to interact amidst inconvenience.

And then something goes terribly wrong and you realize that you are willing to stand by this person and you see that this person has made the decision to stand by you as well. Right then, the friendship is born and realized.

Just like a tattoo is given enough attention before the actual print is made; a genre is chosen, a concept is introduced, the details are scrutinized, an artist is trusted and, then, you actually make the decision to get the tattoo.

Depending on how tolerant for pain you are, friendship and tattoos may or may not hurt.

One's name gets imprinted in your heart and given part of your life, just like a tattoo is marked on your flesh and a allotted a space on your skin.

The impact of the friendship or tattoo is determined by how it was made and maintained. Over time, it can fade or become more striking. It may generate compliments or judgment from those who are able to take a view. It may pose problems or bliss.


Sadly, there are times that you realize that you have made a mistake in choosing the tattoo and in actually having it embossed on your skin.

There are enemies out of friends and certain misdeeds that create irreparable damage that can never be undone even with an existing apology.

And you make the hard decision to have it erased even when you know it can never be replaced; the details that you have created will then mean nothing, the extent of the investment will go to waste, the pain you put up with will be stripped off of significance and you will have to let go of the things you thought were important.

But you make the decision, even when you know and understand how much it will hurt, to remove the tattoo or the friend that you believe does not deserve a space on your flesh or a part of life... because only then can you move on to focus on maintaining the ones you believe deserve to be retained.

Keep only true friends, retain the best tattoos. ;)

Never

Orginally posted as: nvr, Facebook Notes, 19 August 2010 at 20:52
______


You're sweet and I like you
our union makes for better days
our bond is what defines chemistry

but our cultures just don't match
and everyday we must realize that
we are forced into different societies.

It's sad,
but we have to accept truth.

Some things can never happen.

Mr F*cking Malone

Reposted as:   From a deleted blog: Bad Day at the Office, 6 February 2012 at 05:47
Originally Posted on a Blog titled something similar to Just What I Want.
----------


I like bad days at the office.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want bad days at the office in particular; I like what comes after. But I can’t just say "I want what comes after a bad day at the office" because it is that bad day that makes me understand how good things actually are.

Except… I’ll understand that after maybe a couple of days. But during that bad day, I’ll feel absolutely horrible.


May 28. Sunday. 

Three minutes before I get off from work, I took a call from a certain Mr. Malone who was travelling on business for the weekend. I forgot his first name so let’s just call him Mr. Fucking Malone.

At first the call went smoothly, I tried to help him out with our item. For the purpose of concealing what that item really is, I will call it gadget.

I thought that call would be a three-minute call. But then, it became a five-minute call, then a ten-minute call, and then longer...

I needed to make a lot of fixes, research and escalations to get the problem resolved. In the end, I found out that one of the two people he talked to before I did made a huge fucking mistake. I had to fix the ‘software’ and replace his gadget.

That meant that his ‘software’ will work but he wouldn't be able to use the gadget that day or the next since it was a Memorial Day Monday and we can’t deliver his gadget until Tuesday.

Mr. Fucking Malone said he talked to two people who told him that he shouldn't have any problems with using his gadget. Because one of those two people made a huge fucking mistake and I don’t know her name, let’s call her fucking ‘Kristen.’ <Sorry to all the Kristens out there. I hope you are not her>

I told Mr. Fucking Malone there was a problem. I told him he couldn't use his gadget that day but that I will get a new one to him by Tuesday. I felt bad for him until he asked where I was from.

Mr Fucking Malone then said that I didn't know how to do my job because I was Filipino. He mentioned again that fucking ‘Kristen’ told him that his gadget was good to go. He said he can’t understand me. He said I didn't know how to speak in English. He shouted and cursed. He got my complete name and threatened to file a complaint.

I wasn't scared of the complaint. For the record, I do my job well. I always have. I have commendations and records to back me up on that. They can pull up the recording on that call and they would know I didn't do anything wrong. Hell, if they pull up the recording, they might even suggest I sue Mr. Fucking Malone for Oral Defamation.

I can speak straight English since I was in the fourth grade. I have many times been told over the phone that the person on the other line couldn't tell that English wasn't my first language.

So NO, I do not believe that after more than ten minutes into a conversation, I have all of a sudden developed an accent and became unintelligible.

No, I did not do anything wrong here. No, my being the person who told you the truth does not make me the person who made the mistake.

And no, Mr Fucking Malone, I am not an idiot. And my being a Filipino does not make me an idiot either.

I felt so bad last Sunday and I cried after work. It was a very horrible feeling to do the right thing, to tell the truth, to help someone out sincerely and to get insulted in return. I spent more than 30 minutes of unpaid overtime helping Mr. Fucking Malone out.

And yes, my intention to help was sincere. Because Mr. Fucking Malone didn't insult me in the beginning, he insulted me AFTER I helped him out. He told me I didn't know how to do my job after I fixed his account. He told me he couldn't understand my English after we've been talking for more than thirty minutes of my unpaid overtime.

I love my country and this person told me that I’m an idiot because I am in my country while I know that my country is one reason for my competence. It is one reason why I do not do bullshit on my job.

This is for you, Mr Malone.
If you are Mr. Fucking Malone, I want you to know this:

Dear Mr. Fucking Malone, 

You are an asshole. You’re a monster. And no matter how rich or successful you become, you will always be unhappy and unlucky because you make people who help you out feel very horrible. 

I couldn't tell you last Sunday because I didn't want to get a written warning from my manager and, because I know that you were also in a difficult situation, I didn't want to hurt you. But if you went online and searched for someone who calls you Mr Fucking Malone and tells you you’re an asshole, I guess you were asking for it.


I hate racism.

I particularly hate racism because it insults individual excellence. You’re like this because this is your nationality; you’re like that because this is your country. This is a stupid generalization. Nobody is defined by their nationality.

Sure, fucking ‘Kristen’ made a huge fucking mistake and lied about it to Mr Fucking Malone. Fucking ‘Kristen’ is Filipino but it doesn't mean all Filipinos will make that mistake. If one of us is an idiot, it doesn't make all of us idiots. If 1 million of us are idiots (and you have to count,) it doesn't mean all of us are idiots. There are billions of us.

If American Mr Fucking Malone can’t understand that, it doesn't mean all Americans can’t.

I don’t understand where this racism, this hate, is coming from but I have an idea.


The following is an open letter to all Americans who say: WE TOOK THEIR JOBS.

Dear asshole,

The stupidity of this claim is beyond me. 

Took your jobs???!! Your guys brought jobs here. We didn’t ask them to. 

American companies brought the jobs here because it takes so much to pay you to do something; a third of the salary of one of you guys is a high-paying job for us.

What did we do? We allowed them to bring the jobs here. 

What would you have done? Now that employment is down in your country, if Germany proposed to introduce an industry that will give your people high-paying jobs, will you tell them to stay in Germany and give the jobs to Germans?

You want to be mad because the jobs are here? If you want to be mad at us, you can think about what I just said. If you want to be mad at the companies who take their businesses here, think about this: If a company can afford to pay one American for every 15 customers; and they have the option to hire three Filipinos instead. That means that if they take the three Filipinos, you would come fifth to be served. And if they take one American, you will be fifteenth. If they chose to give the job to that one American, will you be willing to wait your turn?

This is happening because a lot of you guys are so fucking demanding. Most of you guys don’t know how to wait their turn. 

Some of you depend on your government too much and whine about how everything can’t be spoon fed to you by your great American government.

Why don’t you leave your country, find a job in a different country like we do? Or maybe, you should be the ones wiping the asses of your old folks so that we won’t ‘take your jobs.’

Some of you think so low of other nations because you think so highly of America. Go beyond what your media projects in movies and look at your country and be conscious of the attitudes of many of your people towards other nations, towards other people and even towards those of your own. Then, let me know if you’re proud of yourselves, racist assholes.


After that thirty minutes of hell with the son-of-the-devil: Mr. Fucking Malone, I went home to my apartment which has been cooled by the light early morning drizzle. I ate morning dinner of spaghetti with meatballs in front of my TV and dozed off after a movie.

I didn't have work that night so I woke up after a 10-hour sleep, took a shower, ate my favorite fruit: mango and watched another movie while I browsed Facebook, uploaded photos and exchanged text messages with friends.

After the movie, I turned on the radio, did my laundry and cleaned the apartment. A neighbor walked by the laundry area and we did a little chitchat before she left to do her own chores. Another neighbor knocked on my door after I was done with the laundry and gave me about three kilograms of mangoes – an addition to about a pail of mangoes she gave us a couple of days ago. And I love mangoes.

I got myself a glass of milk from the fridge and decided to eat a couple of mangoes pronto.

I looked around the apartment and realized that everything was working fine. I never really appreciated how everything just works fine inside the house. The fridge, the tv, the lights, the efans, the stove, the faucets, the laptop, the phones, the camera, the furniture… Everything was in good working condition and didn’t need any replacement.

And while I was eating mangoes, I thought of lone Mr. Malone travelling on business on a weekend unable to use his gadget with an attitude only hell can appreciate. I’m sure he will have a hard time. And nobody will give him free mangoes.

I’m just so glad I’m not Mr. Fucking Malone. I’m glad I didn't have his bullshit attitude and I’m glad nobody’s blogging shit about me and giving me ‘Fucking’ as first name on the internet.

Nakaw

Original Post: Facebook NOtes, 31 July 2011 at 00:19
On Tatay's Goodbye on 01July2011.
-------------




May mga bagay na bigla na lang nawawala sa atin.
Mga bagay na sa isang kisap-mata'y naglaho na,
Mga bagay na wari'y ninanakaw ng mapag-imbot na dilim,
Mga bagay na mabilis mang mawala'y
matagal pa ring mawaglit sa isipan.

Minsan, may mga  babala.
Mga babalang maintindihan man natin o hindi
ay pilit nating isinasantabi
dahil sa takot na ang pagtanggap nito'y
pagtanggap na rin bilang katotohanan
sa nakaambang pagkawala.

Sa huli,
tanggapin man natin o hindi,
iwasan man natin o harapin,
pakiramdam pa rin natin,
sa oras ng pagkawala'y
tayo'y nanakawan.

Tayo'y nanatiling biktima
ng ating kawalan.

At sa bawat pagkawala,
malulungkot tayo.
Luluha.
Tatangis.
Maghihinagpis.
At marahil magtatanong
- sa Diyos at sa tao-
kung "Bakit?"

At sa dulo,
malalaman natin
na tayo lamang ang makasasagot
sa ating  tanong.

Ngunit hanggang hindi natin natatanggap
ang ating kawalan,
ang sagot sa tanong ay manatili pa ring:
"Tahan na."

Sa gitna ng ating kalungkutan,
Marapat na tandaan na natin
na ang bawat kawalan
ay kaakibat ng
isang uri ng kalayaan.

Kalayaan mula sa karamdaman,
mula sa pagdurusa,
paghihinagpis,
pagkagapos sa mga demonyo ng lipunan.

Kalayaan mula sa mga bagay na nagbibigay pait
sa buhay sa mundong puno ng pasakit.

Ibigin natin ang kalayaang ito,
alang-alang sa mga nawala sa atin.

truth is a status

Original post: Facebook Notes, 29 September 2010 at 17:29
--------------

Do not pretend to be who you are not
because you do not become anything
by pretending.

In your pretention,
you cease to be who you are.
Yet you do not become
who you wish you were.

And therefore,
you are reduced
to being

nothing.

If you are not satisfied
with who you have become,
Strive to be who you want to be.

You are not skipping a step
by pretending,

You just
never really get there.

Ang Spare Tire

Reposted as: Ang Spare Tire niPiffitGarcia/iEsindayen, on Facebook Notes, 
1 November 2010 at 20:51

Ako nga pala si Piffit Garcia :)
_______


Alam mo ba kung anong purpose ng spare tire?
Reserba ‘yon para sa emergency.
Inaasahan mo na nasa ‘good working condition’ yun lagi.

Yun ang makakapagpanatag sa yo pag may lakad ka.
Yung idea, yung pakiramdam na meron kang reserba sakaling bumigay yung ibang gulong.
Kasi pag gipitan na, spare tire na lang yung aasahan mo.

Pero, madalas, hindi napapansin yung spare tire.
Hindi naalagaan kasi pang-reserba nga lang siya.
Kaya minsan, hindi na rin yon gumagana pag emergency na.

Pero ang responsableng nagmamaneho, laging tinitignan yung spare tire.
Laging inaalagaan, laging inaalala.
Kasi pinaka importante ang spare tire pag gipitan na
Pinaka importante yon pag alam mong mahina na yung ibang gulong

Pero kahit gano karesponsable yung nagmamaneho
Kahit gano kaalaga Kahit gano kagaling
Kahit gano kabait...
Wala pa rin gustong maging spare tire.
Kasi wala namang may gustong magkaron ng importansiyang
nakadepende kung gano kahina yung ibang gulong.

Ayoko maging spare tire.

Ayaw Kitang Isipin

(Repost from August 2007), Reposted on Facebook Notes on 1 August 2011 at 06:37
-------------

Nangyari na ba sa yo yung tipong iniisip mo yung isang tao pero kinakahiya mong iniisip mo siya? Na ni hindi mo halos maamin sa sarili mo na nasa utak mo nga siya kasi hindi naman siya yung taong pinapangarap mo? Pero siya pa rin talaga yung iniisip mo...

Tapos, ni hindi mo masabi dahil hiyang-hiya ka, at hindi mo talaga maamin dahil lumulubog yung pride mo, pero alam mong mahal mo talaga siya. Pero kapag nasabi mo lang na tulad ng ganon, parang nasusuka ka at nandidiri ka ng sobra.

Hindi mo masabi sa mga kaibigan mo kung sino yung kinababaliwan mo dahil hindi mo maamin sa sarili mo. Kahit pag kinikilig ka gusto mo na sapakin yung sarili mo dahil hindi lang talaga siya yung tingin mong dapat mong kinakakiligan.

Pero alam mo sa sarili mo (pero hindi mo nga talaga maamin) na gusto mo sana maging kayo. Pero hindi mo rin talaga kayang ipakilala siya sa mga kaibigan mo. Let alone sa magulang mo... At shit, kahit kay Lord gusto mo din siyang itago! Yung tipong gusto mong maging sa yo siya pero kung magkaron man kayo ng bahay, wish mo na tuwing papasok siya e dun siya dadaan sa kusina. Tapos, yung tipong wag sana siyang magpapakita sa bisita.

Tapos, lalo ka pang mapapahiya sa sarili mo dahil siya pa yung walang gusto sa yo! OW SHIT!
Tapos, mas sumasama pa dahil alam mo sa sarili mo na may itsura ka naman, matalino, may ibubuga, may patutunguhan etc etc samantalang siya etong matalino nga pero hindi guapo, malaki ang tiyan, at matanda na at walang patutunguhan.

Pero sa dulo nito alam mong halos pinipintasan mo na lang yung buong katauhan niya dahil hindi mo maamin sa sarili mo na DEAD NA DEAD KA SA PANGIT NA WALANG GUSTO SA YO!

Drinking smart is not for the weak.

Originally posted on: Facebook Notes, 13 August 2011 at 17:16

---------------

They say drinking is for the weak.
I disagree.
I say, the weak do drink.
And so do the numb.

The weak drink thinking that today's problems will be drowned by a liter of beer;
and so, they drink again the next day.
They complain that the hang-over is painful,
and they wish there won't be any hang-over after the next.

The numb drink because they know that there's gonna be a hang-over.
They down a liter of beer today as a sacrifice;
In their hope that the next day,
they will feel the pain.

Busy

Originally posted on Facebook Notes, 14 August 2011 at 13:51
--------------

Nakabitin ang paghinga
sa bawat ugong ng telepono,
hinihintay kung sasagot ka.
Inaabangan ang musikang hatid ng tinig mo.

Gumising ka na, sinta.
Nang mapawi ang aking pangungulila.
At muling hilingin ang tawad mo,
para sa hapding naidulot
ng mga salitang liban sa hubog
ng tunay kong nadarama.

Sana. Sana.

Sana'y andito ka,
upang matawag kitang giliw.
Mayapos. Mayakap.
At sabihin muli:
Nais kitang makasama,
kahit pa malabo ang bukas.

Nais kitang makasama
Ngayon.

Bahala na ang bukas.

Ngunit hanggang kinabukasan,
patuloy pa rin ang ugong ng telepono.

Lumaban ka.

Originally posted as: Sa malalim na pagkabagabag ng iyong kalooban on Facebok Notes, 7 September 2011 at 01:57
---------------

Nalulungkot ako,
sa malalim na pagkabagabag ng iyong kalooban
ukol sa mga bagay
kung saan manhid ako...
At ang marami pang iba.

Hindi ko maintindihan
ngunit ramdam ko.
Ramdam ko,
na nasasaktan ka.
At nasasaktan ako,
dahil ako ay ikaw.

Gumuguhit sa aking dibdib,
ang bawat solusyong tinatapos mo
sa mga katagang "Ewan ko."
Na para bang walang kabuluhan ang lahat
tungkol sa taong iniingatan namin: Ikaw.

Wala akong alam;
tapon ang aking karanasan,
basura ang aking dunong.

Lahat ng kaalamang nakalap
ng mapagmasid kong mga mata
masipag kong tainga
at matalas kong memorya
ay tila nagsitakas.

Tumatangis ngayon
ang puso kong inakala ko'y manhid.
Nilulusob ng pighati
itong dibdib
na katabi ng bagang nilalason
ng usok ng sigarilyo.
Pumapatak ang mga luha
para sa buhay na telenobelang
hindi lumalaban ang bida.

Nais kong maging malakas
at ipamalas sa iyo na ang buhay
ay hindi puro pighati.

Dahil tayo'y pareho,
tayo'y babae na pinaluha ng pag-ibig,
tayo'y anak na pinasakitan ng lipunan,
tayo'y masa na nabuhay sa hirap ng panahon.
Ako ay ikaw at ikaw ay ako.

Isang araw, nais kong mabihag
ang iyong kaligayahan
at ibalik iyon sa iyo.

At, dahil at kahit, tayo'y makailang-ulit na nabigo,
Isang araw, sana'y matuklasan mo
ang tatag ng isang tunay na babae.

Bumangon ka at lumaban
dahil ikaw ay masa na nabuhay sa hirap ng panahon,
anak na pinasakitan ng lipunan,
babae na pinaluha ng pag-ibig,
at dahil ikaw ay ako
at ako ay ikaw.

Masakit na Ligaya

Original Post: Facebook Notes, 27 April 2013 at 20:42. 
--------------

Kahit anong oras
magkikita kayo
ng taong napili mo.

Papasok sa isang kuwarto
magsasabi
ng kung anu-ano.

Tapos,
ika'y hihiga,
uupo,
o tatalikod.

O kung anong pwesto ang gusto.

Sabay, ilalabas na
ang matulis na pagmumulan
ng sakit at kaligayahan.

Simula na ng laban.

Ika'y hihinga ng malalim,
at pagkuwa'y mapapahiyaw,
habang tahimik na saksi
ang di pinapatay na ilaw.

Makikita mo
ang iba't ibang kulay ng langit,
kaya't di mo iindahin ang sakit.

Sa dulo'y
sasabihin niyang, "Ayan na."

habang nakapikit ka pa.

Ika'y mangingiti,
habang tinititigan
ang parteng mahapdi.

Tapos na
ang masakit ng ligaya.

Ang makulay mong tato ay gawa na.

Sa patnubay ng kanilang alaala...

ORIGINAL POST on Multiply.com, Nov 2, '09 12:34 PM. 
In remembrance of  a friend's father who acted as foster father to me. 


Minsan, may mga oras na sinasabi ng iba sa atin na, sa tagal ng panahon, dapat ay natanggap na natin ang ating kawalan.

Ngunit, marahil walang anak, ama, ina, kapatid o kaibigan ang kailanma'y tunay na magiging handa sa tuluyang pamamaalam.

Ito ay ay para sa lahat ng nawalan, sa lahat ng nabigo, sa lahat ng nasaktan, sa lahat ng namaalam...

Para sa kahapong kasama natin sila, ang kinabukasang pagyayamanin natin sa patnubay ng kanilang alaala.

Hopeful Romantic

Originally posted as: Hopeless Romantic on Facebook Notes, 10 June 2010 at 12:08


Believe
and have faith
that you committed all the mistakes that you've made in the past
and are suffering the tremendous pain that you have in your heart today,

because
there exists,
that one moment

when you are destined
to meet
that

one special person
who can,
and will,

make everything



Perfect.

Di ako marunong magmaneho.

Facebook Notes, 8 August 2011 at 08:07


Kailan ba aabante ang sasakyan na to?
Kung ako ang pilit na nagmamaneho...

Bumubulwak ang gas sa pag-abante,
Agad ang pagkamatay ng makina
Kulang sa diskarte.

Kailan ba aabante ang sasakyan na to?
Kung pinapabayaan mo akong magmaneho...

Sabi mo, para akong bata.
Tapang-tapangan
pero takot na takot mabangga.

Walang ibang alam apakan kundi ang preno.
Ayaw mag-start kasi hindi ako marunong magpatakbo.

Tears of joy because You're the sweetest

ORIGINAL POST: Facebook Notes, 22 June 2010 at 14:09

===

I was pleasantly surprised today.

Things haven't been going my way lately. And although most of the time, I stick to being cheery, it's been long weeks and months, adn there are some moments when the real feelings do catch up.

Last night, amidst the heat, I chose to wear the thickest long-sleeved shirt I have in my closet. I was ready to go home under the 8am sun today; sweaty, tired and sad. It didn't matter anymore - it can't get any worse than this.

Last night was the most tiring Monday of work to date; the clock was too slow and the work was too fast. I was ready to die by 3am.

But then, I survived. I got out of the building before the 8am sun peeked, took a very long fort bus ride that allowed me a magnificent power nap, rode a very cold EDSA bus and got to Kamuning when it was already raining.

I didn't go home sweaty, tired and sad like I thought I would. And I'm overly touched.

I'm overly touched by the gift of rain today. I couldn't thank You enough for the spark of hope that tells me that everything will be alright.

I hope that the rain made more people feel Your presence today and make more of us understand that You are there when we feel so alone.

Thank You so much for today's gift, I truly appreciate it.
Tears of joy because You're the sweetest. I <3 You, JC :)

=============


I try very hard not to post much about faith or talk to people about it - except those who I'm quite sure would understand and not judge that my name, my demeanor and my character will not give justice to what faith is.

I may not have the credibility to say these words because I know that I'm totally flawed and damaged and broken - in the sense that if you think I'm not, then I feel that my intellect has you fooled.

But I say things about faith in the hope that people will catch the message and not judge the message for its messenger.

This phenomenon I have here (and today) happens all the time: Right at the verge of our giving up, He make us feel his presence.

I think, most times, we just fail to see what He's been doing. And then suddenly, when we are down and troubled, He stands out.

And when we get to this state over and over, and get saved. That is when we gain faith.

And yes, that is how my atheist ass was restored to faith in 2004. Because it is absolutely impossible that my flawed and damaged and broken self did it alone.


======

Be Grateful

Other people are dying to be in your position. 

To have the job that you have, 

to live in the house that you sleep in, 

to go to places you've been and will be, 

to be friends with your friends, 

to be loved by a family like yours, 

to be as independent as you are, 

to be the person behind your thoughts... 

To be who you are. 

So appreciate life, 

even if it falls short of being perfect. 

Other people would kill just for the chance to have just that much.

*  I go about my days most times not getting any advise from people because, although I am open about the little struggles, I'm usually mum about the deeper issues of my days. I just sit like an idiot in one corner and breath deeply until my heart feels much better or until I can't breath anymore, whichever comes first - my heart feels much better comes first all the time... so far.

When I have issues, I usually advise myself of the best damned advise I can think of. Something similar to what I'd say to a friend who would come to me with the same issue. My advise is usually sane so I post it as a status on Facebook most times in the hope that it may help someone else.

So.. I share this with the same hope.

Stay strong. :)