Sick and at home for 3 days

Yes I'm sick. So I'm going to have a lil fun because I'll be out of the office for 3 days. In short, I'll let my subs panic party for a while.

Meanwhile my mom insists that I go to Asian Hospital for my annual check-up.

Neneng, yung jammies ko pls. Di ako papasok.

Below's a tag. I'll let J answer for me. That's how ill I am. Let's see how much she knows me by now.

1. You can speak Filipino. yes but not really well
2. Whenever necessary, you take the hand of an elder relative and pat the back of the palm of that hand to your forehead and say “mano po”. (W: That's the movie.) no
3. You know “bayanihan” and had witnessed it personally at least once. (J: I think I did. How 'bout you? Did you see that in Nayong Filipino?) no
4. You’ve seen a bahay kubo at least once. yes
5. You’ve ridden on a jeepney at least five times. uh-huh, I make you ride the jeep.
6. You have separate clothes for in-house and outside use. *nods head*
7. You’ve eaten adobo, dinuguan, kakanin, tuyo, dilis. yes
8. Your meal is incomplete if without rice. nah. not really.
9. You hear Sunday masses and attend Misa de Gallo with your family. no
10. You can sing “Lupang Hinirang” very well, with no lines missed. no (J laughs)
11. You don’t care donning ragged and torn clothes exclusively for use inside home. (J: You don't wear ragged clothes.) no
12. You have bought items in a “sari-sari store” at least ten times. yes, of course.
13. You have played patintero, tumbang preso and piko during your childhood. yes
14. You can sing at least five OPM songs, and know what OPM means. of course
15. You know the Philippine presidents from the year of your birth onwards. ahh...di yata
16. You have witnessed “balagtasan” at least thrice. (W: That's poetry in tagalog, right?) i'm not sure
17. You’ve been recounted with stories involving aswang, tikbalang, manananggal, nuno sa punso. yes, ikaw pa ang pasimuno (J giggles)
18. You’ve been read, have read or have heard Filipino legends (Ang Alamat ng…). yes
19. You’ve lived, stayed or visited Philippine places other than your city or town at least seven times. uh-huh
20. You’ve visited local (or public) wet market at least five times. yes...with me!
21. You have heard guys trying to sing Englebert Humperdink songs on a karaoke machine. ano?
22. Your main means of expressing anger is tampo. no, you're too american for that! (W: Oh. So what do I do?)
23. You eat with your hands or use your fork and spoon together. yes
24. You visit home, taking with you a few balikbayan boxes. yes

There's supposed to be a gauge of the scores to know if I made it as a Filipino. I may not be as Filipino as Pacman but I am.

Lupang Hinirang... I start to sing it slowly to her and then realize that I completely missed out the first stanza.

Bayanihan... I've only seen that in illustrations. But isn't pushing a stalled car also bayanihan?

Dilis... I don't eat that. I like dried squid, though, and tinapang galunggong. I think I'm allergic to the tinapa now.

Moomoo stories? Let me tell you something classic told to me by my granny. She went to a party in Lingayen and on her way home, she rode a horse-driven carriage that had to pass over a bridge. It was late at night and the street was illuminated by a single oil lamp from the carriage. When they were on the bridge, she saw a lil gurl running beside the carriage. She told the driver to slow down so they could let the gurl ride with her. But the driver didn't heed. Instead, he whipped the horse to run faster. My startled granny was about to caution the driver when she noticed that the gurl sped up her pace too. And, guess what? The child's feet didn't touch the ground.

(J: I hate that story! Still gets me everytime.)

She gets an X though because I know all the presidents.

W: Aguinaldo, Quezon, Laurel, Roxas, Osmena, Roxas... Wait a minute. I just said Roxas twice. Anyway, we had...ahm...hmm... Quirino, Magsaysay... who's that guy from Cebu? Oh. Osmena pala. Tapos na yun. Ahm... Macapagal, Marcos, Cory, Ramos, Erap & GMA. See! Somewhere there is my lolo. You know who?

J: *beep-beep* So how did we do? Are you fili-fino?

W: Opo. I'll practice my mano on you.

J: No!

* * *

kids should know that...

In the fourth season, Robert Downey Jr. joined the regular cast as Ally's boyfriend Larry Paul, temporarily resurrecting the ratings of a show that had lost its novelty appeal and thus much of its audience. However, when Downey got into legal troubles over his real-life drug addiction, he was forced to leave the show. Shortly thereafter other central cast members also left, and various characters disappeared from the show without an explanation (such as Renee, Mark, Jackson and Jane Wilco), which caused the ratings to sink again. Guest appearances from Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Ricci, Matthew Perry, Heather Locklear, and Dame Edna Everage in season five were not enough to save the show. (wikipedia)

one day, isang araw

One of the people who works for me is LG, an Aussie with Pinoy parents. She is currently taking a course in a private school in Katipunan.

Filipino communications is one of her subjects. And of all the folks that she can ask help from with that subject would be me.

Hala!

LG: Boss, ano ang tagalog ng mood?

W: Give me a second.

I think it out hard but come up with nothing. So I dial-a-friend... I ask the nearest person and discreetly disturb her. But she doesn't come up with an answer either.

Howabout mood as mud spelled bastardly? Nah.

There's an English-Tagalog dictionary somewhere here, I tell myself.

A light bulb switches on.

Then I go and get back without telling her that I cheated.

W: Panagano or lagay ng kalooban.

LG: Hahaha! Hanep ka talaga pinuno! Hahaha... Ano ulam mo ngayon?

She's really working it. And I play along.

W: Pochero.

LG: Naka naman! Palit tayo. Ayoko ng ulam ko. Nilasing na hipon.

W: Pa-LBC ko isang...ahm...bowl.

Oops. I couldn't complete the sentence without mentioning an English word.

LG: Hahaha! Sige. Inaasahan ko ang pagdating ng ulam. O sya. Later, boss. Kain ka ng madame. Thanks ulit.

She speaks it without her Aussie accent, while for me it's a test of endurance sometimes.

Travelling makes a tongue perfect, I guess. I should get out there often.

* * *

I stumbled upon a German site that promoted downloading of games online. The site's target market were Pinoy gamers. Thus the name Ph.Brothersoft.Com.

Sabi: malaki database ng mula sa puno 100 palayain kumislap laro

I had a hard time figuring out the description not until I realized that the last 4 words, 100 palayain kumislap laro, actually meant 100 free flash games.

And how did I figure that out?

Syempre. Pinuno eh. Ako pa.

Insert nodding of head while saying, Aaaah.

* * *

kids should know that...

A famous mistranslation of the Bible is the rendering of the Hebrew word "keren," which has several meanings, as "horn" in a context where it actually means "beam of light." As a result, artists have for centuries depicted Moses the Lawgiver with horns growing out of his forehead. An example is Michelangelo's famous sculpture. Christian anti-Semites used such depictions to spread hatred of the Jews, claiming that they were devils with horns. (wikipedia)

between meals

Browsing online at the sample menu of Spring Moon restaurant...

W: Squid with bagoong? Chinese dish ba yan?
J: Siguro. Ano ba yan? Eggplant with minced pork, P280. Torta lang yan a.
W: Steamed snapper...baby pigeon...
J: Pigeon? Bad sila!
W: Oo. Magagalit si Bert. Baby pa lang, pinatay na nila.
J: Oo.
W: (Looks at her with bewilderment)Kilala mo ba si Bert?
J: Oo. Boyfriend ni Ernie.
W: That's not true!
J: Oo! Inamin na nila.
W: Hindi! Walang umaamin kasi walang aaminin. Si Elmo, boyfriend nya si Cookie Monster.

(FYI. J loves Elmo.)

J: Hindi a!
W: Oo. Kasi pedophile si Cookie Monster. O ano? Anong feeling mo?
J: Hindi ako naniniwala!
W: Ano? Masakit, no? Now you know the feeling.

(J keeps quiet, wonders about her feeling.)

W: Siguro taga-Electric Company ka, no?
J: Hahaha!

Just because one is yellow, lives with a guy and laughs like a goat, doesn't make one a puppet gay. Have you ever watched Friends?

* * *

Over the weekend, with the help of my subordinates, I finally "invaded" the local joint frequented by almost everyone in the office. There were only 8 of us but the waiters thought it best that we occupy the "penthouse", which we had all for ourselves.

Crispy pata, calamares and tapsilog (they ran out of sisig) accompanied our alco bev.

Truthfully, it's the kind of joint that I would've frequented back in college. The place is a hole-in-the-wall, altho not totally because it has a "penthouse." It's located along a busy one-way avenue between P. Tuazon and Santolan. Not far from it is a small market.

In other words, it is so different from the invites of Alfred (one of our company directors) to chill out at Brazil Brazil in ATC (I didn't realize they already opened a branch there).

Ang tagal din namin dun a. Inabutan na kami ng sikat ng araw.

If that joint was in ATC, siguro alas-dos sarado na sila. Nakakabitin.

But I don't think I'll go back. Once is enough.

It's not the place. It's the menu that needs a lot of improvement. At some point after work, a tired boss deserves a better tasting tapa... yung di matigas na parang tsinelas. Pagod ka na nga, pakakainin ka pa ng Spartan.

* * *
kids should know that...

The Electric Company was an educational American children's television series produced by the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) for PBS in the United States. PBS broadcast 780 episodes over the course of six seasons, from 1971 to 1977. The Electric Company employed sketch comedy and other devices to provide an entertaining program to help children of elementary-school age develop their reading skills. It was intended for children who had graduated from CTW's flagship program, Sesame Street. Appropriately enough, the humor was also that much more mature than what was seen there. (Wikipedia)

whats your sushi story

They say there's a story behind every dish. And with a trayful of it, we get a variety of stories.

We've eaten most of the food until I thought oftaking a picture of it.

I had a couple of beers with Matt and Ryan, his closest bud in the office yesterday.

*Insert eavesdropping here*

Matt is a single father while Ryan is thinking to be one just because it might be the right answer. He wants his girlfriend to stay here instead of working abroad. (complicated like sushi rolled inside out, ura saki).

A hardcore gurl is one who drinks with you and when the rest of the gang leaves, she'd make her move then say, "Pa-kiss nga." Then after saying no, she'd scoot over, gives you a hardcore kiss. You somehow reciprocate and then blame the alcohol in the aftermath of the realization that hardcore gurl is someone you work with. (dare to try the octopus or tako)

I agreed not to extend the contracts of two women. Decision was sad but, while management gave them chances to prove themselves worthy of regularization, they weren't able to pull it off because of habitual absenteesim. (this one needs an oshibori, the wet towel for wiping one's hands before meal)

Some dude pigged out on crack at work and then failed to hide the high when he OD'ed on the floor. He survived the rush, alright. It was that rush to the ER. (try the scattered sushi, Chirashi-zushi)

*Stop eavesdropping here*

So what's with the afterwork socials on a weekday?

It's one way of keeping yourself current. And then leaving whatever stories on the table together with the tip.

* * *

kids should know that...

Sushi can be eaten either by hands or by chopsticks, although traditionally nigiri is eaten with the fingers because the rice is meant to be packed so loosely that it falls apart in ones mouth (and would disintegrate on chopsticks). Traditionally, one should start with white-fleshed or milder-tasting items and proceed into darker, stronger-flavored varieties later. For example, putting condiments such as the famous wasabi or soy sauce onto a piece of sushi would make it taste better. Like fish (not the rice), they should be dipped into soy sauce to extract the raw taste, so this should be used sparingly. In top-end sushi restaurants, it is considered a bad form to request or add extra wasabi when the chef has (or should have) already placed a suitable amount in each morsel. Likewise, one connoisseur counsels "adding wasabi to soy sauce is a disaster. It reduces the spiciness dramatically and masks the taste of the fish." Also contrary to popular belief in the west, sake is not considered a natural pairing of sushi, since the flavor is too similar to rice to enrich the meal. (wikipedia)

giants on top

ny giants jst stopd new england patriots frm making history. ny giants beat d pats 17-14. d 1972 miami dolphins stays as the only unbeaten teamn d nfl.

That was Matt's sms at 11:14 yesterday.

He's my best right hand in the office because he's not only brilliant (a double-degree major) but he's also wacky like me.

Matt was born in Hawaii so, yep, he's a certified dude surfer who once in his life lived it out for a month just riding the waters of Siargao. He didn't stay long in the Pacific. His family migrated to the mainland and resided in Cali where he hanged out occasionally with chicanos.

Among the other things that the dude and I share in common is our love for the NFL. We cheer for the same team, the Green Bay Packers. He also asked me if Hoot can bring home a cheesehead hat for him.

For the last 4 years that I've been watching the super bowl live on TV, it's always been the Patriots of New England that takes home the beautiful Lombardi trophy. All other teams were rejected.

Well, not until this 42nd super bowl happened. Or not until the NY Giants improved their defense that they were able to dramatically defeat the Pack before facing the Pats.

MVP of the season, QB Eli Manning, wears the no. 10 jersey. One of the best key plays was his pass to Plaxico Burress (#17) who didn't practice all week because of injuries, with only about 35 secs left in the game. That shattered the Pats chance to break the Dolphins' 1972 record.

The Giants coach got the gatorade bath during the time out at only 1 sec left in the game. It was right before his counterpart crossed the field to concede and shake his hand.

Great defense by the Giants in the first half - that's how I think they won it. QB Tom Brady had a difficult time finding his receivers in the field. He was sacked 5 times in this game alone. Unbelievable considering he averages about 21 of that per month!

Matt texted again: super bowl celebration at the national sporst bar. see ya!

Baby don't wait up?

During my conference call with Rob, one of our US managers in WI and a co-Pack fan, he just had to shoot:

Hey, did you guys watch the super bowl over there? We threw a super bowl party over here.

Nang-inggit pa.

* * *

Speaking of conference calls with people based in the US, sometimes I'd discreetly IM my home colleagues and discuss serious stuff like Jollibee take-outs, Monster pizza deliveries and beerfests versus ice cream while my ears will pretend to listen to be preoccupied with cheesy stats as to how good business is rolling.

Multi-tasking ako e.

* * *

kids should know that...

Despite the Packers having by far the smallest local TV market, the Packers have developed one of the largest fan bases in the NFL. Each year they consistently rank as one of the top teams in terms of popularity. Packers fans are often referred to as cheeseheads. The term is often used to refer to people from the state of Wisconsin in general (because of its cheese production), but is also used to refer to Green Bay Packers fans in particular. The name originated in 1987 as an insult from Chicago White Sox fans at a Milwaukee Brewers game. In years since and particularly beginning in 1994, the name and the hats called "cheeseheads" have also been embraced by Packers fans. (wikipedia)

4 f words

Use froze, flattery, fishy and friday in a sentence.

"Boss," called out the 19-year old new hire.

"Yes?"

"Ang gwapo nyo." She quickly sat down as if nothing happened, while the few who heard tried to do the same.

I froze and soon realized that that flattery smelled fishy on a Friday.

I wore shades that day in the office and people thought I had sore eyes. Sometimes I'd play along and watch them move back when I try to touch them.

The truth was that I was in the middle of a migraine attack. And since the migraine didn't want to be left at home, I had to bring it with me to the office. Thus the shades.

* * *

kids should know that...

The typical migraine headache is unilateral, throbbing, moderate to severe and can be aggravated by physical activity. Not all of these features are necessary. The pain may be bilateral at the onset or start on one side and become generalized, and usually alternates sides from one attack to the next. The onset is usually gradual. The pain peaks and then subsides, and usually lasts between 4 and 72 hours in adults and 1 and 48 hours in children. The frequency of attacks is extremely variable, from a few in a lifetime to several times a week, and the average migraineur experiences from one to three headaches a month. The head pain varies greatly in intensity. The pain of migraine is invariably accompanied by other features. Nausea occurs in almost 90 percent of patients, while vomiting occurs in about one third of patients. Many patients experience sensory hyperexcitability manifested by photophobia, phonophobia, osmophobia and seek a dark and quiet room. (wikipedia)