Hindi ko nilalahat ang mga representante na nasa Batasan. Lalo na ‘yung mga sumisigaw na nadaya sila. Ang problema kasi sa kanila, ay Una: matagal na silang tinawagan (kung totoo nga), ‘nung mga taong nag-alok na mandaya. Bakit ngayon lang sila nagsasalita? Dahil ba natalo sila? Pangalawa: nasan ang ebidensya? Yung hawak ni Annie Rosa Susano na CF card? E ni ayaw niya ngang sabihin kung san nanggaling ‘yung mga ‘yon e. Pangatlo: May alam ba kayo sa computer?

Nakakatawa lang kahapon, Mayo 24, 2010. Limang minuto bago mag alas-dose ng tanghali, nagtanong ang tinatawag nilang I.T. Expert na si Atty. Al Vitangcol kay Cesar Flores (na taga-Smartmatic-TIM, “What does GMT + 8:00 mean?” Sumagot si Cesar Flores, “GMT + 8:00 is the timezone of the Philippines. We are 8 hours from the Greenwich Median Time.” Nakakatawa ang mukha ni Mr. Flores non; Parang gusto nyang sapakin ‘yung “I.T. Expert;”

Nakakatawa ang mga politiko. Wala nga namang natatalo; nadadaya lang.

***

Naniniwala ako sa Automated Elections. Kumpyansa ako na walang nadaya simula sa PCOS level, hanggang sa canvassing sa PICC. Kung mayroon mang makapandadaya sa halalan, naniniwala akong nasa loob lang ‘yon ng presinto, o habang dinadala ang mga balota sa presinto. Ang mga balota madaling dayain. Ang makina, hindi dahil una sa lahat, bagong bago ang mga makina. Bago ang programa, at alam kong hindi tanga ang COMELEC kung kaya’s hindi ako maniniwalang may butas ang programa o may backdoor na madaling makita. Kung sa 2013 nangyari ito, malamang may pagkakataon pang maniwala akong nagkadayaan.

Wag magpadala. Alam nating lahat na malinis ang halalang lumipas. Hindi man 99.99% na malinis, malinis parin.

It’s a shame how most of us thought that Filipinos have matured when it comes to voting, how we thought that Filipinos will make the right choice based on a candidate’s capabilities and track record. Most of us hoped so much to see two people who have done only so much in their past get elected, to do some more with the power of the presidency; but no, as of this moment in time, the ones who have made it to the top by way of popularity are leading the polls.

A few weeks earlier, everybody thought it was going to be Villar vs. Aquino by the last few hours of canvassing. Now we have:

Aquino, the person who decided to run after his mother died of cancer late last year; only son of the martyred politician Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and martyred President Corazon Aquino; Partial heir to the operant human-rights-violating Centro Azucarera De Tarlac, Hacienda Luisita; Former representative of Tarlac and incumbent senator of the Republic with zero laws under his wings; and recent opposition after a failed business proposal to the current president; and

Estrada, a former President of the Philippines (1998-2001); convicted plunderer (unfortunately pardoned by the incumbent president) and lives by his benevolent yet unrealistic (because he never did) promise that he is pro-poor; and grandfather of all current opposition.

By simple, tip-of-the-iceberg analysis from an irrelevant person of the 94M strong population, I believe that the majority’s choice was based on 1) Pedigree, 2) Popularity, 3) Unfounded and unfulfilled promises of the past 4) Opposition to the incumbent regime.

There were, of course, other more qualified candidates, but of course, they were overlooked because: one was in the administration party, one was only popular to the intelligensia; and one was known only by green advocates.

It seems that the masses are still to learn about a little thing called foresight. Now we are at the brink of having another six years of another Cory. Another government with zero executive experience, another government surrounded by advisers running the country.

I would have opted to have a President with superb track record and proof of what they have done, and the political will to perform much more at Malacanan, but as a member of a standing democracy, I respect the vote of the many. Therefore, I will support whoever becomes the next President in whatever endeavors he may take for the betterment of the country– however, it shall not be absolute for when he errs, the Filipino people will rain upon him what he has rained upon the incumbent, competent administration for the past years.

I usually ask a question to people I care about, and people whom I’m extremely close to. The question goes, “What would you do If I died tomorrow?” or “If I died, would you go to my funeral?”

It’s pure coincidence that I watched two movies that involved a lot of death today. I took my first break before leaving for a family lunch this morning, and watched What Dreams May Come (Starring Robin Williams, 1998). I’ve watched much of it in my Philosophy of Man class this term, but the professor sadly cut the movie off to stage a lecture due to time constraints. I downloaded a copy instead and watched it.

The second break I took was tonight, after slaving over photoshop (the part in interactive authoring I despise so much), just to have a little ice cream while browsing what’s on TV. The clock struck 9pm, which made me check HBO. One glance at Ricky Gervais and I was sure I wasn’t changing channels until the movie’s over. Ghost Town. Death, and continuing existence.

I’ve always believed that death is the off-switch of life, of existence. Death is the end of one’s journey and mission of leaving his mark on the transient world. Being presented with ideas that one exists after life somehow disappoints me. This isn’t from pessimism, really, it’s just that I can’t help but think: what’s there to exist for after life?

If what we can imagine of after life was true, that we would be in a form of paradise (in our own idea), or that we linger on earth and see the comings and goings of people around us as we do, then what else is there to do? We won’t die of hunger therefore no work, no suffering, no nothing. Perhaps there’s emotional suffering but that only makes my premise more aggravated. Will we be consigned to an eternity of emotional dilemma? Of missing, of reminiscing– is it not effectively hell? And if we then meet our loved ones in paradise, what do we do with it?

I just think that continued existence after death has no purpose at all. Then again, I haven’t died yet, so I really am not in a position to judge it.

The question still hangs. What happens to you when I die? And will you attend my funeral?

In light of the Chinese New Year, a friend gave me a fortune cookie. I didn’t crack it open until tonight, where I found it very, very timely. I guess that’s what fortune cookies are notorious for: good timing (often mistaken as luck, fortune yada yada.)

Refrain from pettiness and bickering. It is a waste of your strength, talents and precious time.

I got home today looking forward to absolutely nothing interesting, really. My email messages begged to differ, though. It seems that I’ve started another controversy; or is the subject of one. Mystery envelopes it, though, because I don’t really remember triggering violent reactions against my personal postings.

I really wonder why. I have a conclusion but I will stop here; lessons from the past are driving screws in my mouth (or fingers for that matter). Until then, I say: Learn it. Don’t hate someone for knowing how to use it.

See how I abstained from taking advice from a fortune cookie? :p

Idiocy begets more idiocy.

[This is a reply to a question/homework posted by my Philosophy of Man professor.]

A famous philosopher one[sic] said that human life is no more significant that the life of a cow or an insect. we eat, sleep, stay alive for a while, and reproduce, so that others like us can eat, sleep, stay alive for a while, and reproduce, but without any ultimate purpose at all. how would you answer him? What purpose does human life have that is not be found in the life of a cow or an insect? What is the purpose of your life?

I do believe in what was said by that philosopher, mainly because I believe that to find the purpose of human life is to end its existence. I once believed that our lives revolve in taking care of the earth– as it was taught to me by my dominican mentors– but as I pondered, and was influenced by other theories, I found that the earth we stand in would fare so much better without our race.

My rationality and my ability to destroy the earth is what keeps me from the ranks of cows and insects.

Argue, anyone?

Fact Chuck Norris:
(Taken from Chuck Norris vs. Manny Villar)
Norris: When I do push-ups, I don’t lift myself up; I push the world down. I can speak Braille. I have counted to infinity. Twice. And I can divide by zero.

Villar: Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura? (Have you bathed in a sea of garbage?)

Norris: Rematch.

I really didn’t want to talk to anybody today. Throughout my first three classes, I kept mum and just tried to sleep whenever I can (not in the middle of the class, of course) and took a few minutes out of each classes just to stare out at the corridor windows.

The view from any window inside the School of Design and Arts building is starting to bore me. I’ve stared both blankly and attentively through and beyond them for so long that the serenity of it is just gone. I used to see perfect skies– however gloomy, dark, or sunny or fair they are– through those dusty glass panels and asylum-white metal frames. Now all I see are either: a busy airport, a mayhem of a suburban area, or a green-clad noisy and busy school below. So much for sanctuary.

As it goes, the need to socialize overcomes me. After a not-so-satisfying lunch at Pao Tsin, I wandered around, looking for something to do. I wandered more and I found someone to talk to. And another one. The absence of a patronus just sinks in. Dementors are now camping inside my mind; complete with bonfires and alcohol– they’re all inside me.

I will speak of it no more. Not until you’re beside me again.

To cap the extremely disappointing day, I’m met with bad news. I enrolled for the best possible mentor for the start of my project thesis, but it turns out she and her friend may have swapped schedules again. I was really hoping they wouldn’t, but there. It happened. Sigh.

I can’t even speak my mind out.

I hate this day.

Fact Chuck Norris:

Chuck Norris counted to infinity – twice.

It’s been about two years since I first saw the car of my feasible and plausible dreams. I first saw it at Katipunan, a black version of it running quickly, smoothly, with much dexterity and vitality between trucks and other cars. Like THAT montage from the movie Cars (the one where the porsche carera [spelling?] was strolling in slow motion through a road beside a waterfall), it passed by me; and the second it ended, there was, in my mind, a new resolve: I have to get that car.

Today, every moment I see one of them on the road, I just sigh and sing “Pangarap Ka Na Lang Ba?” (I think it’s a Sharon Cuneta song), daydreaming about how I’m driving that car.

I’m one year away from graduating– the moment promised to me by my mom that she will get me a car. This was a moved promise, from my 21st birthday to my graduation because I sort of… there. Anyway, I just can’t wait to have my very own Suzuki Swift. I will paint it yellow and I will, I WILL have my logo fabricated in chrome plated plastic, and stick it where it should be in the car. Daydreaming. Sigh.

Due to being frustrated, I started making a 3D model of the car in Maya. Here’s the progress.

Sigh. I just want one.

=-=-=

Fact Chuck Norris for today:

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.

And, once again, I’m in the dean’s list.

Quite a haughty start for an entry, yes? Read the sentence again, and imagine me saying it to you personally. How does it sound? And, once again, I’m in the dean’s list.

Personally, I don’t feel like I deserve it. Especially because of how I’ve acted through the final period of the term: slacking off, doing facebook; doing more facebook; wallowing over some things; relaxing too much; doing some more facebook; sleeping a lot over the holidays; producing mediocre work; some more facebook. I know I haven’t pushed myself as hard as I can over the previous term, and I most certainly know that I can do better. But I chose to just let it go for some reason I don’t know. Then again, I’m still thankful for the positive feedback of my professors.

[VIDPRD3: 2.5] This is the lowest grade I got this term, and the lowest I’ve ever had in a video production subject. The fact that it’s worth just 7 weeks, and that every class is six hours long and starts at 8 in the morning didn’t really help. Imagine having to edit videos at 9 in the morning, thinking about food and nothing else. The untimely production schedule for the final project didn’t help either, because me and The Love wasn’t really in the mood for it anymore, and there weren’t any actors around and available, except for Demi. Sir Arie still did give us 2.5’s for it, and said he saw the video. Very nice of him, really.

[2DANIM3: 3.0] I still consider the good grade a positive feedback from my 2D animation prof, even though he’s well aware that 2D animation isn’t my line (I suck at drawing).

[WEBDEV3: 3.5] He showed me my grades, which said I had 99 for all the final projects. This is cool, although I know that the project wasn’t worth that; it was just that I met all his requirements and made his suggestions possible. I know a little more about php and how open-source shopping cart templates work, but I still feel it’s insufficient. Well, there’s google for that. The 99’s are very flattering, still. Hahaha.

[CATHWOR: 3.0] My cathwor (catholicism in the modern world) instructor noted how nicely I interpret my thoughts through words, and that my papers (no matter how they were done two hours before the submission) made her think and ask questions. It was her practice to write notes on a student’s paper, and mine had a lot of red ink.

[AUTHOR1: 3.5] My author1 (Interactive CD Authoring) asked me if she can keep my final project. I wonder why, but I still consider this a compliment. If it weren’t for my frequent tardiness, (hello, FARview.) I would’ve gotten a 4.0. I told her it was ok, and I deserved it for being too lazy to get up early. I’m half expecting that one saturday next term, I’d see her in her class showing her new students my work. Hahaha! Yes, yes, Ang yabang ni JR. But still.

[3DANIM2: 3.0] And then something interesting came up. After suffering from the day’s heat, The Love and I decided to hang out at the 3D Animation room for a while, since we didn’t have course cards due for another hour, and the room was the coldest one we know. While sitting there, just staring at each other, my 3D animation (2) instructor called me. He was talking to another professor (whose name I now forget). They told me that they were planning on congregating a 3D Animation “varsity” of sorts, and I was to be part of the modeling team. Sir Melvin bragged about my work on the 3D modeled Kiss Stage project, and told her about how I was good at modeling and texturing. I really am not confident with my modeling skills, since my method of modeling doesn’t really fit animation (I build my models part by part, not from one block @_@), and my texturing skills are, standard– I just drag and drop images onto texture shaders. Still, his faith in me makes it very flattering; and right now, I’m about a hundred percent sure that I’d take the offer, if they pursue it. Resume and Archival materials with my name on it. Yipee! XD

Dear reader, I know you’re wondering if I’ve taken a bite at the forbidden fruit, making my skills for self-selling, haughtiness, narcissism, and boastfulness at its unnecessary peak. I assure you that no, I haven’t, and that I’m perfectly sane. This is what got in to me.

I just realized that there is nothing wrong with telling the world about how people have complimented you, your talents, your skills, or your works. It is hypocritical of us to say that we need to tone it down, because this is the same thing we do when we go on a job hunt. We sell ourselves, or talents, our skills, and our works. Consider this as a partial resume, in paragraph form.

I know that after publishing this entry, I will forget what I’ve realized, and will feel sorry about how I’ve boasted so much with this entry. But hey, I’m not the only one who does this.

=-=-=

I’ve been itching to send a certain professor a message to ask her if my soon-to-be-proposed topic for thesis is approvable. I’m bound, however, by the thought that my class with her starts in exactly a week from now. Maybe it can wait.

I’m pushing my limits on this thesis project. I want my mark made in school. I want, not the glory, but a benchmark to be set with my work. That a student could do it, if one dreams of it. I know it’s too high a dream, but I do want it. And I’ll do everything I can to achieve it. Archives, meet my name. :p

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The daily “fact chuck norris” quote:
“Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch. HE decides what time it is.”

Here’s the thing: I hate people who keep on ranting how they were murdered by a panel of judges and giving lame excuses why they were done such a travesty. This hatred also includes people who complain about getting low grades after rushing their project. Yes, I know, designing and making a website work can be done overnight, so is a 3D model, and editing a video project. It just isn’t right to blame your professor on how your project turned to shit. This excuses no one nowadays because there is a thing called google that exists.

Now, professors are also your consultants about your work. There is absolutely nothing wrong about asking them how your project looks: is it doomed to fail? should you rethink it? should you rewrite some parts of it? is it wonderful? No matter how busy they are, they will never pass up a chance to help a student reach his prime in making a project. Except id the professor is a dumbass, idea pirate, knows-nothing-about-what-he-teaches-at-all person.

Your excuse disgusted me, really. How come even the dumbest person in class made it on time? Unfortunately, I cannot divulge what agitated me, to keep trouble away. But man, you really deserved it.

=-=-=

Moods play a good part in creativity. This is another re-realization I got today after shooting our video production 3 final project. The shoot was… blunt. Admittedly, it was done out of necessity, and the light intent to brew comedy (which really didn’t turn out that potent). I do realize that I didn’t give it my all–neither of us did– because we weren’t just way past due, we were short of people. Thankfully one Carl Demigillo showed up to help us, but since it’s finals period, and he’s much of a helper, he had to leave. Thankfully we had sufficient material for the project to meet the requirement. Yes, it’s a new low for me: meeting JUST the requirement. It’s sad, but hey, it was a desperate time.

Time. I’m sure we’ve all wished for more of it once in our lives. I’ve come a millimeter close to thinking that a fairy god parent would grant my wish of having 72-hour days only for me and a select few people, and leave the rest of the world with 24-hour days. Yes I’ve sided with Mr. Crocker that time, but thankfully I didn’t need to go to Arkham Asylum for it.

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I’m about 75% sure about starting off as an instructor for a career. It’s really a track I’m willing to take, since I really love helping people understand what I understand. It would also be a fulfilling reward for me to see my would-be students become better than me. I’m highly hopeful that some of my current professors would be kind enough to support this idea, and refer me to whichever school/s they teach in. I don’t mind the measly pay, because I do believe that one’s pot of gold can be found at the end of one’s rainbow. This is my little shout-out to my reading professors, if there are any. Hahaha :p

=-=-=

That’s it for tonight’s little write of. Although I’m in a writing high right now, I do have a rather hefty load of responsibilities to fulfill tonight. I say adieu to you, and Hello Adobe Premiere– we meet again.

The big fuss over the new year is the presence of two full moons in january, and none in february. The blue moon as they call it. Nobody really talks about it, but it’s a new decade. We’ve entered the teen years of the second millenium’s first century. I didn’t really see it, until a friend greeted me about it.

Well, I didn’t really have anything to say about it. Just… happy new decade. Haha!