Servings

Said the Bride played by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill: Revenge is a dish best served cold. I got a taste of it yesterday. I attended an annual convention -- my first -- of one of the associations I belong with, in Makati yesterday. When I arrived at the convention place, I was handed out a brochure. Rummaging through it, I was was surprised to know that the convention would include election of new batch of officers. I read carefully the existing set of officers. Some I know ((ex)professors of UPSE and (ex)fellows of PIDS). But the current vice-chair struck me. He was my professor at UPSE in my masteral studies. How can I forget, when he almost flunk me, nothwithstanding that i got passing grades in his exam, even if his exams were essay-type, which means there's a lot of room for subjectivity. Flashback: I remember when i trudged to his office to ask why i got a grade i think i do not rightfully deserved. He said that i was wearing earings and mojo in class; that i sit everywhere (even if sitting arrangement was nonexistent in a university that prides itself of free from any repression whatsoever). I told him that my grade should principally reflect my performance in the class, which I did well, and he should not let his biases affect this. After all this is UP, and in his syllabus distributed in the early part of the semester, there was no mention of character -- or wearing earings or mojos -- as part of his grading system. He turned pale but he said he was standing with his decision. I know why i got his ire. He has a problem in pronouncing words and there where instances that when he mis-pronounced, he caught me grinning.

Back to reality: The professor was a candidate for this year's set of officers. The President of teh Society, in his speech, noted that the vice-chair usually succeds the president after his term expires. he even enjoined the participants to vote for the vice chair.

I went to the convention with a collegue, and she was not familiar with the candidates. I told him to vote for the candidates i know, except for that arrogant professor.

Then came the announcement of election results. The three i voted garnered enough votes to win. So did the professor. But this is the catch. An ex-prof of UP who now teaches at DLSU, and whom we voted, garnered 43 votes. The Professor got only 42 points, one vote shy. If the votes decide who will be the president, then the Professor clearly lost to an ex-UP Prof now at DLSU by just 1 point. So our 2 points (mine and my collegue's) were very crucial and would have changed the outcome of the election to the Professor's favor.

The tradition is broken! The vice-chair will not automatically succeds the President because he lost in the election.


I got my sweet revenge, after 10 years hehehhehehe

Best

This has been conceived long before as one of my priorities to be posted in this site. But I am really amazed about the dichotomy of my life – as a central banker during long and arduous hours of weekdays and as a bum-whatever-happens-will play majhong during intermittent weekends. There is really no place for blogging, even if my mind wants it. The mind is willing but the tip of the finger wants to experience and touch the gentle Chinese carvings. Ok, without further ado, be it angst or romanticism, I compiled my favorite songs and albums, and will start from, of course, the pinoy acts. I originally planned this as my TOP 10 list, but great songs come in strides, so after I finish compiling them, the list exceeds 10. They are not in order, as choosing them is very difficult for me, and ranking them is libelous, if not suicidal.

Magasin – Eraserheads

This defines my generation. I still remember me as a budding sophomore at UPSF, and E-heads were still reeling from the success of their ultraelectromagneticpop album, when Circus hit the stores. I immediately bought one (tape album as CD was really a luxury then), and savored E-heads new album. The first time I heard it, I fell in love with the song. It transcend the lyrics, the music. I just love it in its entirety! Some things you just cannot explain, like love, like this song.

Butterscotch – Eraserheads

The teen anthem. I am only in my teens, I live only for my dreams. You cannot make me stay, life is a journey anyway. Need I say more?

Esem – Yano

If magasin defines my generation, Esem defines my UP life. Always living life in a tight budget. Nakakainip, Nakakainis, Nakakabaliw, di nakakaaliw ang ganitong buhay. Though I am now making some doughs enough for family to live a decent life, the lines cited earlier is no less applicable in my college life than in my present life. Life's not about money, anyway.

5 Years – Sugar Hiccup

Melody’s melody is a killer. The wails sift through the operatic-like music that will leave haunting you forever, reverberating in the recesses of your mind. Some words are best left unspoken to convey the message. If you don’t believe, try listening to this song.

Tagay – Cocojam

The Pinoy-esque reggae. The song is a funny story, about a man beside the road too drunk to stand up because of an unrequited love. I really like the drunkard’s babbling in the end.

Fire Woman – Hungry Young Poets

Barbie’s voice is torching here. Funny thing is I only know the song after I purchased the two BC’s albums. HYP who? But when I listened to the music, it’s orgasmic! Forget the face man, just by her voice, you could really be hypnotized.

At Nakalimutan ang Diyos – The Wuds

The Angst in religious fashion. This song will challenge you to examine the truth stripped naked from hypocrisy. All the material comforts, all the material success, but what the fuck, if God is taken for granted. Even an atheist can appreciate the song. What is good is it’s also applicable, more so, to those holier-than-thou religious zealots in robes, who can tolerate flagrant electoral cheats, political blackmails. Well, napakahirap gisingin ng gising na nagtutulugan. Now, see what I mean about stripping truth from hypocrisy.

Pangarap sa Buhay – Parokya ni Edgar

Before the proliferation of novelty songs warped in commercialist package, Parokya ni Edgar’s first album was the ultimate novelty in parody. Yano was novelty too but Yano’s more satirical about the political hullabaloos. This is a jolog song long before jolog was coined. A story about wanting to be a member of kuya Germ’s That’s Entertainment clan. The operative word is wanting to be a member.

kapag Sinabi ko Sa yo – Gary Granada

Gary Granada at his romantic best. Few poets, I’ve written before, can mix politics, poetry and music without sounding boring. Gary Granada is but one of few exceptions. My UP days would not be complete if I don’t mention his songs which are staple for the UP community. His are simple but genuine, uncompromising but mellow. But this song is his most romantic one. Take this line. Ako’y hindi romantiko, sa iyo’y di ko matitiyak, na kapag ako’y kapiling mo, kailan ma’y di ka iiyak.

Bring me Down – Rivermaya

Same story for Firewoman. I’ve only got the chance to listen to this some 6 months back, when I inadvertently chose this while running my finger in my component’s remote control (although I was trying to listen to kisapmata). And it really knocked me off my feet. This song’s been waiting to be heard all my life, and thanks for that chance encounter, I was able to. Confession: I’ve never been a fan of Rivermaya before because I saw them as cono band, selling record brands than creating music. What more, with accusation of payola for their first single, ulan, I was really turned off. But Bamboo proved me wrong in later years (I like Bamboo, but unfortunately his CD is best listened by plumbing all his songs). Rico Blanco’s also proved his mantle as well.

Akap – Imago

I have just listened to Imago recently, and now I’m addicted to them. I first heard them when I and my wife watched Rockestra. That was a re-awakening for me. Gosh, all these bands were playing new tunes and the crowd was going to stupor and we – we didn’t know a damn what these bands were singing. Then came Imago. Aia was pretty, and she sang well. So I hunted for Imago’s album (as well as most of the performers in the Rockestra), and was it great. Two-thumbs up, as critics would (ac)claim. And Akap was a great song. This is another case of unrequited love, fully aware, wanting to beak from it, but cannot.

Gusto – Pan

The great Dong Abay strikes again. Gusto is arguably his best song from Pan’s repertoire of great songs from Parnaso ng Payaso. This explores contrast, dialectics. For me, the subliminal message was everybody has the right to choose, but the choice should not compromise another being to forcibly do what he does not want. But just to wax philosophy, if one is constrained by another to do what he wants, will that justify his being cruel? Just a thought.

Corporate Attire – Cambio

Another product of Rockestra. Before, I disgusted Cambio, and can’t believe the irreverence it was wrecking on E-heads hits. Nevermind that Buddy and Raymond (was Marcus also an original member? Cant remember anymore) were the brains of Cambio. But hearing female versions of E-heads classics was unbearable. But lo and behold! Cambio was fantastic after all. So I looked for their album (a pity all I have now was a pirated CD, have to buy the orig stuff later), and I discovered a mine. Corporate Attire was a satire for pen pushers like me, and a self-glorification for them, musicians. Although it may look vain in some instances, forget the lyrics and the melody’s good.

Someone else – Barbie’s Cradle

Sporadic guitar riffs echo cries. Barbie’s words haunt. And it’s really frustrating when someone wants to be with or go to somebody else.

Tatsulok – Buklod

Another remnant of UP days. Never a song can depict the corrupt hierarchy of Philippine society than this one. An anthem for political liberation.

Love Rescue Me

Love rescue me
Come forth and speak to me
Raise me up and don't let me fall
No man is my enemy
My own hands imprison me
Love rescue me

Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
Love rescue me

And the sun in the sky makes a shadow of you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm here without a name in the place of my shame
Love rescue me

In the cold mirror of a glass
I see my reflection pass
I see the dark shades of what I used to be
I see the purple of her eyes
The scarlet of my lies
Love rescue me

And the sun in the sky makes a shadow of you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm hanging by my thumbs
I'm ready for whatever comes
Love rescue me

Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow
Yet I will fear no evil
I have cursed thy rod and staff
They no longer comfort me
Love rescue me

Sha la la sha la la
Sha la la sha la la

I've conquered my past
The future is here at lastI
stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see
The ruins to the right of me
Will soon have lost sight of me
Love rescue me

-- Bono and Bob Dylan

The Lost Key

Habang ang kadiliman ay naghihilik sa kalaliman ng gabi, Isang taong parang pinukpok na hito ang aligagang lumapit sa posteng nagsisilbing tanglaw sa karagatan na itim. Lingon dito, lingon duon, minsang kapkapin ang bulsa, minsang huminto't mananatili at parang uusisain ang -- isang balat ng kendi lang pala. Hindi ko na kinaya at nilapitan ko siya.

Kaibigan, ano ba ang iyong hinahanap, kanina ka pa ikot ng ikot diyan sa may poste.

Nalaglag ang susi ko sa aking bahay kanina habang ako'y naglalakad pauwin, ang mahinahon ngunit matamlay niyang sagot.

Nako, sige tulungan kitang maghanap. Mga anong oras kaya ito nalaglag.

Bandang alas nuebe siguro, pagbaba ko ng dyip.

Pero wala namang dyip na dumadaan dito. Dun pa sa kanto ang sakayan ng dyip.

Oo nga pero madilim sa kanto, walang ilaw kaya dito ko na lang ito hinahanap.