Ano Ga? by Jami de Leon

Penetensiyahan 2011

Jami — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 02:13:50 +0000

Penetensiyahan is a Lenten celebration in Rosario, Batangas in commemoration of the passion of Jesus Christ providing a glimpse of the 14 stations in the Grotto at the foot of Tombol Hill. Christian devotees hold pilgrimages to this place during the Holy Week. Here are photos when I visited the Grotto and took a hike to the Tombol Hill during the Good Friday.

This year, I made a decision to take a hike to the top of the Tombol Hill. It was my first time considering the hill is just within the poblacion of my hometown, Rosario.

Besides the fact that the climb is apparently difficult to many, what makes it more difficult is the queue of the people going up and down the hill. Imagine being stranded for minutes in the midst of the climb. There were marshals assigned to give climbers a helping hand but seeing them along the way would mean there is a steep or slippery climb ahead.

The prize of my climb. But before that, the first photo is my old photo of Jesus Christ on top of Tombol Hill from afar. Then next to it is my close-up shot of the huge image of Jesus. I also took a bird’s eye view of Rosario.

A lot of food stalls were placed so food and drinks is not a problem on the hill. You may also take a rest on the benches near the stalls. There were also cops and military personnels stationed in the area.

It is said that downhills are the reward for making it uphill. But I tell you, going down is easier said than done.

My Top Retweets for 2010

Jami — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:27:26 +0000

The tweets are not mine. These are the top tweets I retweeted. Some names indicated are the actual persons who said the tweet/quote instead of the name of the accounts who posted the tweets while some are indicated as Anonymous because it’s either they just quoted the tweet or it’s uncertain if they really are the principal source of the tweet.

teach a man how to fish and he will fish for you

-Ramon Bautista

Putting on a fake smile, so you don’t have to explain why you’re not happy.

-Anonymous

a friend told me that you can’t fake the A-hole, you can only fake the nice. something to think about when decoding people

-Rhian Ramos

Wag mong pag aksayahan ang mga taong makikitid ang utak. Mas mabuti pang makipag-usap sa baliw, baka magkaintindihan pa kayo.

-Anonymous

We need fake people in our lives so we can determine who the real ones are.

-Jasmine Curtis Smith

Gusto kong itapon lahat ng kaibigan ko sa dagat, para lumutang ang mga plastic.

-Anonymous

The nobler a man, the harder it is for him to suspect inferiority in others.

-Cicero

The less men think, the more they talk.

-Montesquieu

It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living.

-Rousseau

To be old and wise, you must first have to be young and stupid.

-Andi Manzano

mistakes, we all make them.. they usually come with the best of intentions.

-Rhian Ramos

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.

-Mahatma Gandhi

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

The people I love, I can’t talk to. And the people I can talk to, I can’t love.

-Gabriel Saporta

I am not ashamed to confess that I am ignorant of what I do not know

-Cicero

haters are confused admirers who don’t understand why people love you

-Paulo Coelho, to Justin Beiber

The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn.

-Cicero

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.

-David Hume

Exactly one year ago, New Year, I joined Twitter. Looking back, here’s my very first tweet: http://twitter.com/jamideleon/status/7267981832

4B: Balagtasan, Banatan, at Barikan sa Batangas

Jami — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 04:39:25 +0000

Fliptop rap battle league has gone viral thanks to Youtube. Most of their videos got millions of views. Below are sample videos courtesy of fliptopbattles channel in Youtube:

SAKUPIN ANG PINAS!

It’s Skwaterhawz’s mission and for them to conquer Batangas, they made an alliance with Chick-Autz Productions. Chick-Autz staged 4B: Balagtasan, Banatan, at Barikan sa Batangas last November 12, 2010 at 1984 Bar & Resto, Ayala highway, Lipa City. The event started with rap battle contest of aspiring emcees of Batangas.

Photo courtesy of PipoyJohn.

Youtube sensation Dello and the rest of Skwaterhawz: Santo, Zikk, and Vanjohn together with other Fliptop stars Target, Zaito, and Silencer pumped up the rest of the night with their original music and some freestyles. Apart from seeing their idols live, the fans also had photo-op with the rappers after the program.

Photo courtesy of PipoyJohn.

The event was made possible thanks to 1984 Bar & Resto, She 4s Computer shop, and our official media partner Drive 99.9.

4B Promo Poster

With the Chick-Autz Productions.

Here are some clips of 4B by pipoyjohn channel in Youtube:

The producers did their best to accommodate everyone but the security and convenience of the people inside the venue must also be considered. Chick-Autz is planning a part 2 of 4B in Batangas City.

For more photos, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245451&id=329819397129.

The Automated Election Experience

Jami — Tue, 11 May 2010 06:54:13 +0000

May 10, 2010, the first Philippine automated election was held. Malfunction of the counting machines to be used for automation is expected. But as the polling started nationwide, this problem had a twin: clustering of the precincts. It’s like the shadow of the automation flaw that was unnoticed since we focused much on the performance of the machines. Because of the limited number of the PCOS [what the machines are called], every five precincts were consolidated to one classroom. As a result, the verification of the voters slowed down because only one election officer manages the five precincts. It even made some of the voters to just go home because they feel like they are waiting forever. By afternoon, I’ve heard that the queue of the precinct where I will be voting is still long. Meanwhile, news reports said that the voting is extended until 7pm. So I decided to go to the polling place by 6 o’clock. It’s not that I’m being “last to the minute” even though I have to admit that I’m not an early person but I just want to get rid of the hassles of falling in to a looong line and waiting for looong hours. I’ve been itching to vote I have to be practical. Besides, news reports are there to warn you so make use of it. I am positive that I can vote even if the queue is still long when I arrive by 6. Fortunately, the only persons that were on the school grounds were poll watchers, barangay officials, and some bystanders perhaps. I know what precinct I’m in and was confident that I am a registered voter so I didn’t need to find my name on the list. The verification from the BEI [or the election officers] is enough. When I entered the classroom, I am the only voter there. It feels like I got a VIP treatment. The only problem I had while filling-up the ballot was my shading slightly penetrated the other side that may hamper the scanning of my votes. Most of the voters I saw on TV were crossing their fingers while inserting their ballot and I had the same feeling. The infamous “Congratulations” message took a long time before flashing on the display. I was voter #591 on my precinct and I saw how it changed from 590 which means it was successful! For sure, I didn’t overvote since I only had 6 senators and 2 councilors. Reaching the polling place [the school is just in front of our village] and the voting process was quick, quicker than the time I spent taking a bath! Of all the irregularities being reported on TV, I didn’t experience any of it. I just hope that my votes are really counted both on the local and national level. God bless Rosario, God bless Batangas, and God bless the Philippines!

Biyaheng San Juan-Rosario

Jami — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:46:14 +0000

Byaheng San Juan-Rosario. Babaling na ulet yung jeep pagdating ng Rosario, di na dadaan ng Lipa, hwehwehwe!

This blog post is not really about this jeep. Click the link below for more.

Me and my thesismates, Glenn and Julius were on a mission to find a software needed for our system. The planned date was in a Tuesday, the day my car is prohibited from travelling because of the Number Coding scheme. The plan: stay and leave my car to Glenn’s Aunt in Las Piñas. So we left Batangas Monday evening and we arrived at Las Piñas just right for us to sleep. The next morning, we were accompanied by Glenn’s Aunt and drove us to PNU, where she work and from there, we commute. Our first stop: Recto.

If you are driving in unfamiliar place, you just need to follow the signs leading to your destination while in commuting, the problem is to know where and what to ride. At first it was still easy because there are jeepneys near PNU going to Recto but still we need to ask a fellow passenger where to disembark. This lady that we asked was so kind she even told us to take care before she got off the jeep. After setting our foot on Recto, we immediately began the hunt. We walked along Recto glancing on the stalls and entering establishments, but only computer rental shops, TV’s in electronic shops, and what Recto is famous for–fake documents, are in there. We even saw an AMA transcript… very tempting. After losing our hopes and realizing our walk is like taking forever, we decided to go to our next destination, Gilmore.

Getting to Gilmore is also easy because we only need to ride the train and there was an LRT station nearby. The hard part was to get a card for us to be able to ride the train. The three of us were all hesitant to ask for help but we got no choice. It is where our being probinsyano really came out. Although it is somewhat systematic, I still find it hassle falling in a long line and inserting coins and bills into the vending machine just to get a card. After finding out how much is the card, is it okay to insert bills, and is it okay to use just one bill for three cards, we managed to get the cards for the three of us. We seated near a security guard standing by the door. We asked the guard where Gilmore station is but there’s no need to because the name [of the stations] is posted in every stop. Upon reaching the Gilmore station, even though we are already aware of our whereabouts, the guard still said, “Andito na tayo”. I also noticed that it was the only time he left his post meaning he stayed in there because of us. Gilmore is well-known for shops selling different kinds of computers that’s why we took our chances there. Unfortunately, only few are selling softwares and the rarity of the software we are looking for makes it worse. We also went in the buildings on the other side of the road but still to no avail. We also looked in a store that sells surveilance cameras since the device we are using is a webcam but the guy there said that the similar software they have is built in to their products. That’s the last chance we had in Gilmore and we deliberated if we still need to go to other place or just go home. We actually have plan B already. But we have to grab all the chances we have so we settled on pursuing our hunt. Our next destination: Greenhills.

The dilemma going to Greenhills is that there is no direct mode of transportation aside from taxis considering it’s just nearby. Our other option is to ride on the other side of the road bound for the opposite direction and take another ride going back. Another deliberation came up: What the heck? We’ll just take the taxi. It cost us 150 pesos. The taxi was tuning in to an AM station and an untimely news report was heard, a heavy traffic is expected in Greenhills. But the driver said it is on the other side of Greenhills so there’s nothing to worry. Few more turns, and we’re there. Julius and Glenn were very eager to ask people where we can find stores that sells PC softwares but all of them were useless. I finally came in to the picture and asked this security guard then he called a man that can bring us to what we are looking for. It’s like a ray of light came upon us. The guy brought us to their shop but they don’t have the “precious” software in there. They asked us to write the name of the software in the paper and they will try to find it in their stockroom. We waited for almost one hour just standing in front of their shop! Alas, thay guy came empty-handed. Then we finally realized we can’t find that elusive software in Greenhills as well. We decided to take our lunch then. From what we ordered, it is evident how tired and desperate we were. I ordered a big hamburger while my two companions were not contented with just one meal! Imagine a combination of a rice meal and a burger meal, how’s that? After we released our anguish by eating, we went for a walk around the Greenhills Shopping Center, window shopped, and came to a decision to go home. It is where I took a photo of the jeepney posted above [more explanations below]. We actually rode one of those jeepneys, then in EDSA we took a bus to Alabang. We got off in a terminal in Alabang I am not familiar with then we get in a jeep going to Las Piñas. The last ride we took was a tricycle going to Pilar Village, where Glenn’s Aunt’s house is located. And finally, we’re back, tired and pissed.

I immediately took a nap when we entered the house, while the two chosed to watch DVD’s for relaxation. After the short nap, I woke up when Ate, the helper in the house, brought us pizza. After we had our merienda, I slept again because the Number Coding is still in effective so we still need to wait until evening. When I woke up, it’s dinner time. I’m guilty of being kain-tulog in the Auntie’s house. After we had our supper, we decided to move out. Glenn called his Aunt because she’s still at work to say our “goodbyes” and “thanks”. But before we “really” go, we went first to Glenn’s friend Mak-Mak for a brief drinking session. But before I agreed, I make it clear that I will only drink beer. Being a responsible driver, as always [naks!], I see to it that I won’t exceed to the my own limit if I will be drinking then driving afterwards. Mak-Mak’s house is just beside the Pilar Village. The people there are kind and friendly. Later on, Joanna came, Mak-Mak’s lovely and charming sister and joined the conversation. We bid our farewell to them the time the Number coding has ended. Even though we didn’t find what we’re looking for, somehow we still achieved something: making new friends as well as learning how to ride the LRT, LOL!

About the photo above: It is actually a jeepney routing from San Juan City, where Greenhills is located, to Rosario which I believe is somewhere in Pasig City. It just fascinated me because in Batangas, the route in our area is either San Juan-Rosario-Lipa or Rosario-Lipa only. Having San Juan-Rosario would mean the jeep will go back to San Juan after reaching my hometown Rosario bypassing Lipa, funny!

Welcome to the NHK

Jami — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:09:13 +0000

I just discovered a potential anime craze after seeing it on Animax. But before that, I also found out that they are now airing Bleach. [I'm starting to love Animax!] I can’t say at this point in time that it has a nice story but I can relate myself to it. The story is about a college dropout and unemployed Tatsuhiro Satou. Upon my understanding, he is a nerd. He only goes out once a week, sleeps a lot, and an internet addict. Aside from that, he is also experiencing a feeling of despair. He thinks that what’s happening to him is due to some kind of conspiracy. His theory is that a secret organization called Nihon Hikikomori Kyoukai (NHK) uses cute anime girls to create a society filled with jobless and porn obsessed people. Satou wants to get out of his misery but he can’t because he’s afraid to go out by himself until he met a beautiful girl named Nakahara Misaki. She claims that she can cure Satou.

At first I thought it was simply a love story between a nerd and a hot chick. But upon learning more about the story, it now became unclear. I already prepared myself that it is different from the other action-packed animes that I’ve watched but now, it seems it is also filled with action. Another question that arises is, does this Misaki really a gift from above or an agent of the NHK? I am not yet sure if this is really a good anime but I’ll give it a try.

Chick-Autz Christmas Party ’09

Jami — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:26:25 +0000

This year, we decided to spend our Christmas party at the Blue Coral Resort in Laiya. Just like the previous years, Myk was the punong abala. The date was December 12 and everyone are supposed to go to the resort by afternoon. Unfortunately, I can’t join that trip because I have to take my exams first. Jec also have the same dilemma of going there so we met after my exams. Afterwards, we waited for Shiela, Veejay, and Elaine who were also coming with us. We departed by around 7pm, but we went first to our house in Rosario to leave my car there because it’s more practical if we’ll be riding only in one car.

When we arrived at the Blue Coral, the first thing I asked Myk was the beach. He pointed it to me but all I can see is a pitch black darkness. To my dismay, I can’t see even just the reflections of the waves. I just told Myk that there’s still tomorrow for me to see the view. But there’s nothing I can say about the place we’re staying, it’s very nice. It is a penthouse with two floors and a balcony. Our arrival is almost perfect to eat dinner so I immediately grab one of Myk’s specialties: pata tim.

We started the gift giving right away. We did our usual way of giving gift, the one giving the gift tells first clues about the recipient of his/her gift before revealing who it was. The only twist this year is giving shots to the giver and the receiver. Since it is a rule for everyone, Jeff was not spared. But, even though he’s not drinking, he asked for more on the next rounds. Nem and Veejay served as the tanggeros but it seems their tagay are not reaching everybody. Krissy is wearing a long green dress and everyone is calling her the sultana. I am also wearing green that night so I was also caught up in the mockery.

The day after. They played beach volleyball, ride the banana boat and kayak. I opted to stay in the room but then I can’t see the entire beach from the balcony so I decided to go down also.

The conclusion of the Christmas party. Too bad there are still many who was not able to come.

Bleach cosplay

Jami — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:01:38 +0000

It’s like they really brought Bleach into the real world! Click the link below to see the photos.

Nostalgia × New home × Rising from the dead

Jami — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:47:46 +0000

Finally, after almost two years, a new blog post. My last post was last April of 2008. This blog is now saved in a new server, the new address is http://jamideleon.wordpress.com. You can also see this blog in my Facebook profile by clicking the “RSS/Blog” tab. I wasn’t able to blog for a long time but still, a lot of things happened. The only thing that did not change is my hair, it’s still my own worst enemy. I’m still thin, and maybe becoming even thinner. I am still detained, I mean, schooling in AMA. Hmmm… what else? I really don’t have plan on making sensible post today, I just want to test if this post will appear on my Facebook [friends and wall] and see how it will look like. Another thing: my Blogroll was reset, give me your link if you have a blog.;)

BTW, hindi ko pa nararamdaman ang bakasyon dahil sa lintek na NFE na yan!

My blog as seen on my Facebook profile.

Another Bleach cutie: Nel Tu

Jami — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:12:54 +0000

Neliel Tu Oderschvank is a child arrancar in Bleach series who got strong attachment to Ichigo and followed him on his way to Las Noches. Here is the 10 best clips of Nel picked by monialiska in YouTube.