Sh*t happens

And it happened to me this morning. My little monster woke up around 9:00 a.m., while I was frantically getting ready for work coz I’m late! He was at the side of the bed and was standing there suspiciously with this serious expression on his face like concentrating on something. My hubby blurted, “Nako, you’re sh*tting no!”. He didn’t move for a while then he went to the living room pointing at the TV. It was Teletubbies time. So I turned it on and smelled the now familiar odor of “ebs”.

I couldn’t decide if I should change him first or my hubby can change him after they’ve dropped me off in office. I decided for the latter option so I put him on my lap and put on his socks. Then I noticed this bit of brownish thing on his feet and I said “This couldn’t be ebs!” But when I put him down to investigate further, what do I see? My pants full of sh*t! Oh no! Now I have to change my outfit and it took me already ages to do it! What am I gonna wear?!?

But first thing’s first! Change the baby. Luckily my hubby is such a considerate person so he took over Aidan and I went quickly to the room to change. Sh*t I’m already wearing brown boots, now I have to wear black. I can wear this cargo pants but the big boss might see me and find myself being scolded. What top do I wear? Oh the usual black one, but its kind of out of shape from hanging in the cabinet too long! Yup but I cover it with another pullover.

Ah! All of these things buzzing noisily in my mind while I was trying not to hit the roof and swear! Uhm, actually I already did right?!? hahaha! I caught myself counting slowly to 5 when I felt the urge to burst out! But all’s well that ends well. Finally on the car, before I know it, I was at the office and waving to my little monster goodbye. Sh*t happens and it happened to me this morning.


Let me further share a funny thing on religion that someone sent to me a long time ago. But be informed that this is just a joke and not a means to offend other religions. Tolerance and good humor is the key.

RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

Taoism
Sh*t happens.

Confucianism
Confucius says: Sh*t happens

Agnostic
What is this sh*t?

Buddhism
If sh*t happens, it isn’t really sh*t

Zen
What is the sound of sh*t happening?

Protestantism
Let this sh*t happen to someone else

Catholicism
If sh*t happens, you deserve it.

Atheism
I don’t believe in this sh*t

Islam
If sh*t happens, it is the will of Allah

Judaism
Why does this sh*t always happens to us

Hinduism
This sh*t has happened before

Hare Krishna
Sh*t happens rama rama ding ding

7th Day Adventist
Sh*t happens on Saturdays

Mormon
Sh*it happens again and again and again

Jehovah’s Witness
Let me in your house and I’ll tell you why sh*t happens

Rastafarianism
Let’s smoke this sh*t!

Life's funny like that

Sometimes, out of the blue, an original joke comes along just by having a normal conversation... here's one...

At a party with pica-pica foods on the table, the host/friend points to a plate with whole garlic swimming in olive oil.
Host: Hey try this one... masarap yan...
(I pick one and take a bite...)
Me: Uy! Masarap... (while munching) You know this is anti-cancer.
Friend: No, its antipasti.
Me: (Paused for a while, then) Yup, and its also anti-cancer...
She also paused a bit and we started laughing... life's funny like that.

Photo plug!

See some shots of the Beatles of the Philippines. Visit with us a beautiful spot in the our homeland. See our favorite aunt get married, Now showing on our photo album!

A moment with Apo

After the write-up, here are some shots taken on the long-lunch we had in Bahay Kubo Restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland. The Apo Hiking Society was so warm and we are ever grateful for their time. And they finally meet Silja of Tondo!

The Boracay Experience

Did you ever go to the wonderful island of Boracay? We did and here is a series of photos of how much fun we have had. From shopping, dining and island hopping, it sure was fun vacation plus oh that wonderful tan! After riding on a banana boat, a niece says, this is not a banana boat, this is a hotdog and we're the sauce! hahaha...

A wedding in Pangasinan
One of my close aunts is Tita Alice and on December 28, 2004, she decided to get married in the church. And so with some members of our clan, we went to Pangasinan to take part on this wonderful event. I got to be the veil sponsor, therefore got this striking red dress. It was kinda emotional and weddings really give me the goose bumps...

Musical Tag continues

There seem to be a bug going around the community I go to these past few weeks and everyone has a feature musical tag… I was not left spared so here goes… for justice:

RANDOM 10

1. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
This is a wonderful song for those people who’ve been down for a while due to other people’s unfair criticism. I like listening to this to strengthen my resolve and smile to them who has opened their trap without consideration and tell in their faces... I am beautiful no matter what they say, words can't bring me down!

2. The Scientist - Coldplay
The scenario: Waking up in this hotel room where I’ve spent a month on mission away from my schatz, I would open the small TV and this song will always be featured at MTV Italy with its unusual video while I blow my hair dry. This song would always remind me of Rome. The ancient yet modern city of pasta and the leather shoes, the Colloseo, the Vatican, Testacio, Circo Maximo… **sigh**

3. Pizza Pie – Parokya ni Edgar
The first time I really listened to their first album KhangKhungKernitz, I found it hilarious specially the spiels in between and since then I’ve become a fan. It’s Pinoy rock at its best. Maybe I’d be lucky enough to catch them on a concert when in Pinas next time.

4. Sunrise – Norah Jones
Her first album was already great but I loved this song the most on the second album. Its melody is a bit more carefree and easy. Her voice is really soothing although I think the video could be better…

5. Dadalhin – Regine Velasquez
My all-time frustration as I mentioned during the GAP stories are songs of Regine Velasquez, the birit queen. Really, I’d be so frustrated! But with my magic mic, I put down the melody 2 notes lower, tried it out and my husband’s verdict? Schatz! Easy ka lang… mahina kalaban! WAAAAAHHHH!

6. My Immortal - Evanescence
I sometimes like rock music and this one is a really great one. I love the voice of Amy Lee and the combination of pure voice then bashing electric guitar and drums! Its perfect for those times when you just feel this huge emotion on your chest and you just need to jump and head bang singing with their song.

7. White Flag - Dido
Since I’ve bought the soundtrack of Sliding Doors starring Gwyneth Paltrow, I’ve discovered Dido with her song Thank You and become a fan. I really like soothing but emotion-filled songs and this one is so catching, you just sing the song out of the blue moon. I also liked the video with David Boreanaz (Angel). Reminds of me of the feeling I had when I was younger and I use to moon and cast quick glances at a crush… kilig!

8. Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
I love the soundtrack of City of Angels and this song is so touching and religious as well, it’s kinda close to my heart. Again it talks of prejudice, which is a very relevant issue on people’s lives.

9. Pare Ko - Eraserheads
I would not know Paglisan if I was not listening closely to the songs of this epoch including the group of Eraserheads, then headed by Ely Buendia. It’s a classic to my generation. I could be with someone with more or less the same age bracket, whom I haven’t been around for long but we hit this song on a magic mic and everyone is singing. O Diyos ko! Ano ba naman ito? Diba lang hiya! Nagmukha akong tanga! Pinaasa nya lang ako ! Lecheng pag-ibig to!

10. Trouble - Pink
I love Pink’s songs specially the latter ones. I find her cool although she’s out of the scene for a while now. I like the video with the girl power and all!

As you might gather from all these choices, you can see that I like soft music as well as rocky ones. I guess that’s how I really am because I could be really sweet to someone but watch out for that temper lying deep.

* * * * *

1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
39. Uy marami yon considering sa office ito noh! Hehehe. I grabbed these songs from my CD and put the mp3 files on my computer at work so no music pirating here ok!

2. The last CD you bought is:
Destiny fulfilled by Destiny’s Child because I was curious to how they would blend again after that long separation. The CD is great although listening to just one type of voice for a while becomes tiring. I usually audiograb it from the CD and mix it with the other songs. Para di boring!

3. What is the last song you listened to before this message:
Geez! So many because I’ve been seeing this message many times and frankly I don’t remember the first time… so I’ll just settle to what song was I listening to after I finished this entry…

4. Write down five songs you listen to a lot or mean a lot to you:
a. Runaway – The Corrs
5 years ago, while P. and I were still in this honeymoon stage, I just started singing this song to him… Close the door, lay down upon the floor, and by candlelight, make love to me through the night… get the picture?!?

b. But I do love you – LeAnn Rimes
The first time I heard this song was in the movie Coyote Ugly where the girl was singing it to her new found boyfriend in the dark because she could not sing in public and wanted to pretend that she’s alone. It was ssssoooo romantic and Adam Garcia was such a hunk! Yummy! Whoops! Hope my hubby doesn’t see this entry... hahaha...

c. Langit na Naman – Barbie’s Cradle
One of the things I do is surf on the Internet a lot before I had a blog and I stumbled upon Philmusic web site. In one of the articles, they featured an interview with the group Barbie’s Cradle with Barbie Almabis (formerly of the now defunct group Hungry Young Poets) as the lead singer and three songs from their album: The Dance, Tabing-Ilog and Goodnyt. Great songs! So I got the album “Songs from the Buffet Table” and discovered this original song from the Hotdogs and became an all-time favorite dedicated to my one and only...

d. Angel – Sarah McLachlan
This is a very haunting song that always touches me. It could be the melody or it could be the message. Of finding solace in times of trouble and loneliness and finding it in God’s presence. Very near my heart this message.

e. Je serai là – Teri Moise
This is one of the few french songs I’ve memorized first because of the melody but finally because of the message. It is a perfect song of a mother to her child. Translated: I will be there. And the chorus is oh so perfect:

J’ai découvert qui je suis. Tout a changé le jour où je t’ai donné la vie. Et si jamais le monde t’es trop cruel. Je serai là toujours pour toi.

I discovered who I am. Everything changed the day I gave life to you. And if the world is too cruel to you, I will be there always for you.

5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (3 persons and why)
I think all of them has been tagged already so can I just pass it on to justice again. But I’ll include ays ays bebe and matapoor out of curiosity also and wala na akong maisip na iba eh! Waaah! Peace ha!

A moment with Apo

Music is part of everyone’s life. There will always be a song that sings what a person is feeling be it love, heartache, laughter, sadness and all other emotions a human heart can take. Some songs just have a nice melody to it and sticks into ones soul and stays there forever. For us Filipinos, this is particularly true for songs of the Apo Hiking Society. The members of this talented group is Boboy Garovillo, Danny Javier and Jim Paredes. I would like to call them the "Filipino" Beatles because all of their songs have become hits and everybody knows them because of the melody and message they convey even if it was written a couple of decades ago. A Filipino classic, so to speak. It’s like an ember of fire that stays in the subconcious of the Filipino psyche and it just needs a string of few notes from their songs to be played and the fire is all aglow again.

with the Apo Hiking Society
Originally uploaded by karampot.

When my aunt told me that we were going to the concert of the Apo, I was pretty curious cause it happened to me quite a number of times that I would not know the artist except from the radio. Then I watch them on a live concert and they become larger than life! No comparison on their voices on the tape or CD. One realizes why these people are so popular because of their personality and their talent. I wondered if the concert the Apo has the same energy of Gary V. or the kilig-factor of the Side-A band.

In the end, I would go for the feel-good reminiscing in memory-lane of my childhood. Their voices mixing well together to come up with this “suave” sound that is really soothing and pacifying. Then of course when they start up with their funny songs, everybody was rolling on the floor laughing. The theater was pretty unusual because the seats were three-levels, like balcony, loge and super loge (?!?! Meron ba non?!?). The Apo called it, impiyerno (hell), lupa (earth) and langit (heaven). Knowing the humor of the three, they gave impiyerno to Bubuy (he was the assigned “Underdog”), Jim had langit and ofcourse Danny had lupa because he was a self-acclaimed “makamundo” na tao. The act was of course peppered with green jokes but that’s typical of Pinoy right?!? Like their spiel "To the APO Virgins who saw us for the 1st time, we hope you enjoyed losing it!". How green can you get?!? They showed their “Worse of Apo” act and it was really hilarious! Imagine somebody singing with gestures and all, then suddenly the record breaks or jumps and their gestures follow the breaks and jumps. Can you imagine it? I know its kinda difficult so just watch them nalang next time their in your side of the earth.

Aidan and Jim
Originally uploaded by karampot.

The texture of the show was very Pinoy so for some foreigners watching, it was kind of puzzling for them to watch everybody responding to the joke and they are left there wondering. But what the heck! It’s not everyday that Filipinos in foreign countries are allowed to wallow in the humor and stories of back home and simply feel this is who we really are. It was refreshing and gratifying. I just love the feeling of belting out their songs, singing with them as they sing… “Mahal kita, mahal kita, hindi to bola. Sumagot ka man lang sana wag lang... ewan…”.

But the treat would not end there. The next day, we were able to meet them at a Pinoy restaurant for lunch and interact with them personally. I must admit I was still starstruck because Apo is a legend in the Philippines and to finally meet them was an awesome experience. Plus the fact that we were exchanging stories like anybody made it extra special. The fact that they were holding Aidan in their arms and laughing at his antics made my heart very proud and was overwhelmed with pleasure.

Aidan and Danny
Originally uploaded by karampot.

What's more, you see my bestfriend Silja, a german whom I met in Geneva, was the only foreigner that I was able to teach a Pinoy song. Once we were browsing a Jingle songbook and came accross the song "Ewan". As the melody was easy, she could still sing the chorus line I mentioned above up to this day. Who would have thought that one day, I'd have the opportunity to present her to the original artists who sang it? Lucky break huh! Like me, she was also starstruck and funny enough, they took fancy of her and Danny was teasing her that from the look of her (blond with green eyes), she was a true Manilena. She gamely answered "Of course!" and he continued saying she comes from "Tondo" and everyone was laughing good-naturedly.

Mang Boboy was a bit tired and we were not able actually exchange stories with him but Mang Danny and Mang Jim continued to take the time to carry Aidan around and take pictures with him not only for our camera but for their own. We exchanged stories a bit like the fact that I’ve been reading about Mang Jim through Ate Sienna’s web-pansitan. About seeing his grandchild on the web with his wife Aling Lydia who was also with him. About the travels of Mang Danny and how he has a band in Davao. The best spots in the Philippines. How they know everybody in the business. But of course! Pioneers yata sila!

Aidan and Bubuy
Originally uploaded by karampot.

Before we know it, the event was at its end and they must leave. Slowly we say goodbye to them and thank them for the autograph, their time and most specially their humor. We were grateful that for a brief moment, we were touched by legends…

Merry-go-round

Merry-go-round
Originally uploaded by karampot.

Up and down
We go around
The lovely, lovely
Merry-go-round

Sweetest smile
Upon my crown
Daddy holding
Me close and warm

Igorot in Initiative Toleranz

Ifugao in Initiative Toleranz
Originally uploaded by karampot.

One of the main events here in Bonn during summer is the "Initiative Toleranz" where all countries are gathered in city park "Rheinaue". The idea was to promote the cultural diversity of the people in Bonn and to create a city of "Tolerance". Each country has their own stalls to showcase their countries pride be it local products or home-made food. Every country are also invited to perform their art through folk songs and dances that becomes part of the programme held all throughout the day.

We were approached by our Consul, Mr. Edgar Auxilian, and was requested to perform a dance. Our directress, Flora Antiporda, graciously obliged and quickly gathered us together for a performance. Luckily, my uncle-in-law, Jess Jimenez, had a complete set of Ifugao costumes used by his group before to perform in such functions. And so under the guidance of Flora, we quickly practiced in the grounds of Tito Jess' house and practically crossed our fingers that the noise of drums would not be bugging their neighbors too much.

On the day itself, it was very hot and wearing full make-up with a wool cloth on you does not really feel comfortable but there was a very nice festive air in the park. We stopped by the Philippine stall and my mouth practically watered from the lovely smell of food from back home. In a split second, I felt I was in Pinas and took a deep breath of it. There were also different people in costumes walking around but ours got special attention because of the catching red color and the feathers on top of our heads. Slowly we walked backstage and made some last-minute preparations. Shuffling softly on the stage, we stood poised as we wait for the first beating of the drum.

Us, the three girls with the pots, performed the first part of the dance which was the "Banga", which portrays the Igorot maidens going to the river to fetch water. With their stamina and strength, they also display grace and agility in balancing the water-filled pots. We were eventually joined by three warriors, and the dance becomes "Bindian", to extol the bravery of the warriors. Then the three warriors were left to perform the war dance or "Pattong" where they fight each other to show their courage and strength. The warrior (with a long-feathered headdress) who won also gets the hand of the "Princess" (the lady kneeling beside the warrior) in marriage. The third part was the courtship dance or "Apayao" where they imitate the movement of the birds in flight and when the princess accepts the warrior, he in turn wraps her on a ceremonial blanket.

After the dance, there was a loud applause from the audience. Cameras were clicking all over like crazy. As we wanted to get a souvenir shot, we stood altogether on several poses and one of them is the photo above. It was a fun-filled day and sure was great to feel Filipino and be proud of it.