helpless in SG
Oh ayan Trillanes sikat ka na, masaya ka na?!
‘PICTURE, PICTURE.’ A group of Singaporean tourists poses in front of the bullet- riddled Manila Peninsula hotel Friday, a day after government forces quelled an attempted uprising by a group led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who demanded that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo step down. AFP/LUIS LIWANAG. Inquirer.net
Bwahahaha!
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"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." - D. Ramsey
I hate how my initial reaction to the Trillanes' coup was. I actually thought any movement against GMA was 'acceptable'. For a moment, I didn't look at the bigger picture. Although I felt pity for the Pen and its PR Manager, who was our client before, I didn't think of its effects on a macro level right away. How fucking stupid can I get?!!
First of all, when I heard about the coup, I didn't even know Trillanes won in the elections. I thought he was still this idiotic military leader who wants attention. This is what happens when you don't watch TFC regularly, but watch TV series like House instead. I'm so irritated at myself now.
Anyway, while reading every update on Inquirer's website and seeing the videos too, that's when it hit me. "This is f**** bad. " Whoever reads the Inquirer site regularly will find it rather amusing how so many 'exciting' news is posted online. "Glorietta blast. Erap pardons GMA. Congress blast. And now, the Makati Standoff". Man, this is not f*** amusing AT ALL. It is HORRIBLE! Even that's an understatement already. I mean, what the hell is happening to our country?!!! This might be surprising but right now, I actually hate not being there.
I told Tatoff that I feel bad whenever I can't be there whenever my friends need me - when they're in a rut, when they feel like shit and when everyone seems to be turning against them. Likewise, I want to be there for my country "through thick and thin". But no, I'm here working my ass off for egomaniacs and selfish buttcracks.
I know someone who voted for that ass who seems to love bringing his soldiers to posh hotels. According to him, he voted for that butt because he thought he could make a difference without doing that mutiny hullaballoo again. But I told him, "You shouldn't expect people to change just like that. You can't teach old, stupid dogs new tricks."
Anyway, I felt so bad last night when I heard about the curfew. Whatdafuck. This is REALLY bad. Not only for our image worldwide, but for the country's people as well. Some might be already panicking, thinking of their escape. Some might have just given up on their fight. Some may just be preparing to wage the war. Either way, I feel like there's a ticking time bomb wrapped around the country. Any minute now, it can explode and all hell will break loose. Of course, I'm hoping and praying that this won't happen.
I said a sincere prayer for our country last night. Well obviously because that's the least and best thing I can do. It's not like I can hold a rally at the Philippine Embassy here. I'm sure most of the Filipinos here wouldn't even care since they're all caught up with being a workaholic as well. Also, most Filipinos here will be just so petrified at the Singapore police. Sometimes I wish we feared authorities that way too. Oh well, such is life.
Okay I don't know what else to say. It's Bonifacio Day but I'm not so sure if what he fought for was even worth is anymore. I'm more of a Rizal fan but lately, it seems like no other peaceful means can work to topple such a monster leader. Maybe Trillanes was pretending to be a modern day Bonifacio. But that would be an insult to such a great hero. So Boni, if you're listening, can you please chop off Trillanes and his comrades' dicks for me? Thanks and Happy Bonifacio Day.
UPDATE: A Singaporean officemate just asked me what is it with the Philippines and the coup that he read in the front page today. I don't know why but I was a bit teary eyed while telling him about it. Haaayyyy.
4:47 PM
Friday, November 30, 2007
Happy 2 years & 9 months, T!
Wow how time flies! It's almost our 2nd month together here in SG and I must say I'm proud of how we've handled things. Thanks T for everything - for your patience, kindness, sincerity and most of all, for deciding to be with me :-) Aylabyu chong! You're da best. Yikeee!
At Changi Airport MRT - Sept. 29, 2007. First pic when he arrived hehe :)
10:04 AM
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Buying Time - OFW Chronicles 9873271
I’d like to believe that I have a high tolerance for stress. I don’t mind working like mad from 9-6 but what drains me is this erratic work schedule which denies me of the basic ‘luxuries’ I need to survive. Don’t get me wrong. By luxuries I mean having time to go to the gym at least once a week, watching TV series, having dinner with Tatoff or drinks with my friends, going to the mall and most of all, sleeping by 12 midnight. It’s not too much to ask, really. But for the past months, I’ve been deprived of these simple things all because of inevitable stress-related events that I have to deal with.
It all started when my housemates fought late at night last October. Raised voices and harsh words were thrown, while I tried to remain in neutral ground but eventually said my piece anyway. Yes, our acting ‘landlords’ were too OC and even more strict than my parents. Cabin fever if you want to call it, but that’s when the uncomfortable silence began. The awkwardness of living in a house where people you barely know are not in good terms is not something I look forward to after a long day at work.
A week later, I rushed my housemate to the emergency room at 3AM. I went to work with barely an hour of sleep. Aside from the torment of seeing someone in such a dire condition, I had to bear the ‘cold-heartedness’ of my other housemate who had an argument with her. Because instead of helping me bring the ailing tenant to the hospital, she even blamed her for not taking care of herself better and showed no signs of pity for her. I wanted to speak up so badly even over SMS but suppressed myself for fear of fighting with the couple too and also end up moving out of the pad soon.
The following week became more dramatic. While looking over the computation of our utility bills, my housemate asked me why I’m being charged an extra 5.75 days. Well, there’s obviously no such thing as 5.75 days. Unless our ‘landlord’ has begun charging me by the hour. The day before, I was extremely irritated because she said the bills went up and she asked if it’s okay for me to pay an extra 25% of the bills for the days when Tatoff visits me at home. I mean, come on! He doesn’t live in the house, he just surfs the Net sometimes and we watch TV together. What the hell is with the freaking extra charge?! I just found it so ridiculous so when I told her I disagree, she sent me this long, bitchy message stating how unfair it is if I don’t pay. Once again, I agreed like a stupid donkey, just for the sake of avoiding argument.
One day later, I was told that the extra 5.75 days she charged me was because of the 25% thing we agreed upon earlier. As far I know, the extra charge was effective after our agreement. She was starting to be bitchy and nasty so I retaliated by being sarcastic, and we ended up fighting over text.
That same day, I decided to move out of the house and began to look for a room for rent. It was Monday, so I spent my days looking for a room over the Net and viewing them every night until Thursday when I chanced upon a great deal on an almost brand new housing unit. I grabbed the rare opportunity even though it’s 13 stations away from my office and signed the contract on Friday evening. The payment definitely ‘hurt my pocket’ but my pride tells me I had to leave that apartment soon, and so I did.
I spent my weekend at work and looking for a replacement for my room. It states in the contract that I can’t leave without finding one. I bet my ‘landlords’ (they’re a couple) was shocked with my sudden decision to leave. Fortunately, many Pinays are new in SG so it was easy to rent out such a cozy bedroom.
Thurday was a public holiday but instead of sleeping in, I began packing my things then Tatoff and I conquered IKEA and bought a bed frame and a mattress among others. I moved out of my room last Saturday night (because the truck driver was uber late!) and somehow managed to make amends with my ‘landlady’. At least that’s one burden off my chest.
I spent what was left of my weekend unpacking my things, hanging my clothes, and assembling furniture. Thank God Tatoff is here to help or else I would’ve thrown the Japanese-style bed frame I bought. It’s definitely not easy to assemble using that thin and tiny allen key to screw into wood! Then and there I wish I could just use the traditional nail and hammer just to get it done and over with! Our fingers and nails hurt afterwards, but it somehow felt like a huge accomplishment. I’m also elated with my new room although my bed is demoted to a single-sized one. But still, I love my room and the new environment I’m in! And yes, let's not forget that it's my 3rd address in Singapore in a span of 8 months! I'm a schmuck nomad like that. :P
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to actually ‘live’ in my new home because I’ve been going home really late from work the past days. I’m still home alone but it doesn’t matter since I’m rarely home anyway. Although my Mom freaked out when I told her that my new Thai housemate (exciting!) would only be moving in this weekend. She was asking if there are security guards in the building and up to now I still have to remind her that it’s safe here and there’s no need for them in this city.
It’s Wednesday and I’m crossing my fingers with the outcome of the campaign we worked on. I hope our 1AM overtime won’t go in vain this time. I’m just so sick of doing it already and I just want to leave work early, for Pete’s sake! So far, work orders haven’t been arriving, but it’s even worse when they start pouring in late in the afternoon as usual.
I can’t wait for this week to end. Oh the perils of having a full-time job in a foreign country. I hate the fact that I can’t bum until I’m a Permanent Resident, man. I’m just so tired of my daily routine. Good thing Tatoff’s here already, and I’ve got company. But then again if my schedule’s this hectic, then it’s just like having a long distance and a SMS-based relationship. Sigh.
They say that time is money, and I absolutely felt that last midnight. I was out of commission to even think and write, but I had no choice but to stay really. As if spending 12 hours in the office is still not enough. Sometimes I think that there’s no point saving up when you can’t even enjoy its perks all because you have no time and even energy sometimes. That just explains why I keep visiting home whenever I get the chance. I’m just so freaking bored with my routine and the only escape I know is being with dear ones back home.
Yeah, maybe time is money. And I’d like to think I’m not wasting time in this foreign country. Although it pains me to think that my youth is spent in the office, and all I have are memories that quickly fade away. But then again outside the confines of the salt mines, the journey has been exhilarating and every milestone in my so-called life will be remembered in great detail. I’m in Singapore, I work in an MNC, I live independently, and most of all, Tatoff and I are in the same country. Mission (almost) accomplished if you ask me. I just hope that someday, when I get the chance to stop running with the rats in this race, I can finally buy time to drink and be merry, and buy some extra hours of sleep maybe.
3:03 PM
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Pinas b4 Krismas! :)
Start: Dec 10, '07 12:00a
End: Dec 17, '07
Location: Pilipinas!
I decided to celebrate with my Mom on her birthday on the 12th. It's her first birthday without me and my bro in Pinas so I just wanna make her happy and so she won't get so emo on her 56th year. Oh and my bro's going home too. Gaya-gaya haha!
Saka syempre uuwi ako para mag-shopping,uminom at mag-beach! Up to now, I'm still so kuripot to shop and drink here, and even to cut my hair! Sheesh. I'm so excited as usual, but this time, going back will be different because Tatoff won't be there, and he'll be home alone in SG for the first time. Hehe.
Thanks to my ECD who allowed me to take 6 days leave even if my 3-month probation ends on the 3rd of December. Hehe ang kapal ng mukha ko. Anyway, he even told me why I'm not going home during the Holidays instead. Well I thought we'd have work. Saka ang mahal ng plane fare! Sayang nga coz I only found out today that we have no work from Dec20-25! Grrr. Oh well I guess it's okay because my Mom and nephew are flying here instead. Haay but I'm still gonna miss the Pinoy kind of Christmas. Kahit na magastos, ma-traffic, nakaka-stress at nakakataba, iba pa rin ang Pasko sa Pinas. :)
3:54 PM
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
so this is the life I chose
While everyone in Manila is out frolicking in the sand, climbing mountain tops, trying to even out their tans, and savouring the beautiful 5-day weekend with their loved ones, I'm here in the 33rd floor of a skyscraper working my ass off... on a Saturday afternoon.
Fuck.
Oh yeah, today's the 10th death anniversary of my Dad. I haven't visited the cemetery for quite a while. And I don't even have time to write a decent entry and reflect on it.
Fuck.
So many shit that's happened this week, so little time to rant and release.
Gist: I'm moving apartments. AGAIN.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
4:27 PM
Saturday, November 03, 2007
