Guess where?

Here is one art decoration in one of the building here in Chicago. It struck me as something interesting and I was more surprised because I did not expect to see it in that particular part of Chicago. Anybody know where?

The new "Limang Dipang Tao"

Here is a video of a song that I have loved since I was still in college back in the Philippines. It is a catchy tune and very uniquely Filipino. Composed by no other than Ryan Cayabyab. A new rendition by this cute band called Barbie's Cradle.

Kiss the Girl

Another favorite disney movie of mine. Little Mermaid. Here is Kiss the Girl from the movie.

Joke or not, it makes me uneasy

I am not sure if it is unique to the Filipino culture but we Filipino sometimes joke about asking for money or favor. Like if it is the birthday of somebody we know, we often would jokingly ask him/her to treat us out to a meal. Like if somebody buys a lottery ticket, we would joke that he/she gives us a cut or "balato" if he/she wins big. Like if somebody got a promotion at work, we jokingly would ask him/her to treat us out. Like if somebody goes abroad, we would ask him/her to bring us back a present. Like if somebody goes home to the Philippines from living abroad, we would ask him/her to bring us gifts called "pasalubong". And I believe in every joke, there is a subtext of truth. Is it because most Filipino grew with little means that asking for the graces of others more fortunate considered acceptable? I do not know for sure. But one thing I know, those jokes make me uncomfortable. I personally do not make that kind of joke. I would never ask somebody to treat me out just because it is his/her birthday. Unless it is my immediate family, I would never ask somebody to bring me presents from abroad. I just do not like asking for something from somebody since I have the means to get them myself. Even if I do not have the means, I just have enough pride and dignity not to ask for it. If he/she gives it without me hinting or asking, then that is all fine and dandy. I might accept it but never will I ask for it.

Just the other day at work, I bought 6 tickets for Billy Elliot online for my coworkers since we plan to watch it. When I asked one of my Filipino coworker for the check for her ticket, she joked that thank you should be enough. Initially I just ignored it. Then when I asked again the following day, she joked again that it should just be a "thank you for the ticket". Mind you this woman gets paid more than I do so she has the means to pay for her ticket. But still she jokes about it. Her joke made me uneasy that I just flat out told her it is not funny so she dropped the joke and handed me her check.

Every time I am the recipient of this kind of joke, I feel awkward. I still do not know what to say so I just usually do not respond to it hoping that the beseecher would get the message and move on. Or perhaps I should say how I really feel about it...

Prince Jake

I went along with my friends to watch Prince of Persia primarily because I want to see Jake Gyllenhaal shirtless. And I must say that decision was a fruitful one cause not only did I get to see Jake shirtless, I also got to see an action packed fantasy story that thoroughly entertained me. The storyline of time travel, treachery and love is exactly the kind of escapism I needed when I see a movie. The special effect was so superb that for 2 hours, I was immersed in ancient Persia with royalties and wily assassins. It must have been a really entertaining movie because for that rare occasion, I did not really mind that Jake had long hair. 4 stars out of 5.

Susan and Veronica

I once had a coworker named Susan and Veronica. They were not really friends at work but they were not enemies either. They just did not get the opportunity to know each other and bond as friends. And I can say the same for Veronica and me. Susan and I remained at work while Veronica moved to LA. Veronica and I kept in touch and I would see her whenever I was in LA. 6 years after Veronica's departure, Susan and I, along with other coworkers, decided to go to LA for a conference. When I suggested to Susan that we should meet up with Veronica, she gave me an exasperated sigh laced with disinterest. My impression was that she felt it was a waste of her time. Upon my encouragement that Veronica is kool and it would be fun, she went along with my suggestion. That reunion of Susan and Veronica led to a discovery that they really both have the same interest and expertise in practice. They started to keep in touch more and became really good friends.

This situation sometimes made me think about how we make friends and how we sometimes prejudge somebody without really knowing them. In my story above, Susan obviously prejudged Veronica as somebody she would not be friends with but she later changed her tune. While I on the other hand, had no preconceived idea on Veronica and just took her as she is. That led me to meet her every time I was in LA and got to know her as somebody kool. I will not say that I am always as open minded about people but I like to think that I should behave more like how I behaved with Veronica. This situation also made me think how user friendly Susan behaved. She seems only open to the idea of friendship if she has something in common with another. And that is not how I like to behave. That is limiting and friendship is something too good to limit ourselves.

Samantha who? Francesca Zamboni?

Call me sourgrapes but this year's Women's finals tomorrow at the French Open is the lamest. Samantha Stosur and Francesca Schiavone? I grant that each of them earned their spot in the finals but having them there is just so unnewsworthy. Both have little achievement to speak of. The two women are fairly unheard of. They are no Venus or Serena or Sharapova or Dementieva or Safina or Justine or Clijsters or Svetlana or Ivanovic or Jankovic. So I venture to say that the telecast here in the States will be fairly unwatched. I for one won't be caring or watching.

Russia's solution to captured pirates

I read in a yahoo news report about piracy that the Russians set the captured pirates 300 miles off of their shore in a small boat without supplies and means of navigation since they feel they have no jurisdiction to try them in Russian court. Their solutions is just as well as a death sentence since these pirates will surely perish marooned out at sea.

I say good for the Russians. I have zero sympathy for these modern day pirates. The same goes for terrorist. As far as I am concern, their lives have no value. They can die anytime. Heck I would even pull the trigger if given the chance.

Sex and the City and me.

I know myself. And I know which movie I will enjoy and those I would be annoyed with. So I never listen to the critics and the ratings they give. I give my own rating.

And for Sex and the City 2, I give it a 5 stars out of 5 based solely on how much laughs I got from it. It was pure enjoyment and happiness. It made me escape my mundane problems and for 2 hours, I was immersed in a world of fabulous outfits and exotic locations. And the gratuitous male butt scenes just added icing to the cake. I grant that the movie will appeal probably only to gays and females, it was still cleverly written with plenty of hilarious catch phrases and lines. The movie had a general theme of girl power and friendship that I was able to relate to. And yes, it was probably a little anti-Islam. But considering that the Islamic faith is not the best champion of female rights, a movie that promotes girl power by default would be viewed as anti-Islam. But honestly, I did not care. I did not care that some say the movie is nothing but a fashion show in the middle east. It was still a dame good fashion show. I did not care that the movie, had a very weak conflict to the story line. I would still take it over a movie with a complicated and convoluted conflict and story line that leaves me puzzled at the end.

As I mentioned earlier, I know myself and I knew I would enjoy this movie and it delivered. Can't wait for the 3rd installment of the fabulous Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

The Sun & Sarcasm

> Others call it gorgeous and tanned, I call it wrinkles and leathery.

> Others call it pale, I call it looking 30 when you are 40.

> Others call it a great sunny day at the beach, I call it Melanoma.

> Give me 70 and overcast anytime over 90 and sunny!

> When I say "wow you are so tanned", I really meant "wow you look like George Hamilton or Donatella Versace".