astig!  i’m so down w/ Salindiwa — Tagalog Soulesque/R&B/progressive rock/Socially Conscious lyrics on this track called, “Bahid”.

the video, just plain “stunning” in every sense of the word.

“tayo ba nabubuhay para lamang mamatay?”

via YouTube - Bahid by Salindiwa (Pinoy Soul Movement).

 

 

” In a local music scene where other people often measure success with fame and the number of radio hits, there is still a rare breed of struggling musicians with pure talent fueled by sheer passion and the overwhelming desire to reach out to as much people as they can. Undoubtedly, this rare breed includes Salindiwa, a young band who recently released their independently produced album entitled One.

Salindiwa is composed of lead vocalist Maik Arce, keyboardist Nikko Rivera, drummer Paolo Manuel, bassist Franz Magat and guitarist Kakoy Legaspi. The band was formed through previous band incarnations from the seemingly non-existent yet thriving blues scene. They trace their origins as regular habitués of the famed Hobbit House. From regular gig watchers they slowly inched their way to the stage to jam with friends right before closing time. Eventually, the band developed a craving to perform their own songs and went to business as they honed their craft and developed a unique chemistry. They then thought of naming the band Salindiwa, because for them their music is all about “transfer of essence,”; their desire to share their feelings and views on life mixing them all up through music.

The band’s music is a mishmash of different influences. Nikko traces his influences to classical and roots music and singles out the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, David Benoit, Toto, and Sting as musical touchstones. Kakoy’s personal favorites include Miles Davis, The Beatles, Björk, Cynthia Alexander, Blur, Toots Theilemanns, Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Hunter, Led Zeppelin and a lot of old blues and jazz music. Franz regards JuandelaCruz, Dave Matthews, Bob Marley, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Abe Laboriel, Jamiroquai and John Coltrane as his main musical influences. Paolo enjoys the music of Queen, Erykah Badu, D’Sound, Sting, WDOUJI and Frank Zappa while Maik’s favorites include Jamiroquai, Mother Earth, The Temptations, Sampaguita, Marvin gaye, D’Angelo, Lenny Kravitz, Snoop Dogg and N.E.R.D.

As the band maintains; the music of Salindiwa boils down to two necessary elements: musical improvisation and uncompromised songwriting. The music of Salindiwa relies heavily on eclecticism as they fuse rock, jazz, pop, blues, reggae, soul and everything else in between without losing sight of the big picture. They make sure that in every song, each musician has their own creative thumbprint with consistent regard on lyricism and the expression of a coherent thought, cautious in not going too far off into wankery as the band puts more value to imagination than to any technical know-how.

For the tall order of translating Salindiwa’s essence on record, Salindiwa enlisted the service of local rock uber-producer Angee Rozul of Tracks Studios. The band went through the intense and painstaking process of pre-production as they went through each and every song to be included in the album and re-arranged each song to strike a balance in accessibility without losing sight of the band’s improvisational identity. It is remarkable that they were unconsciously able to keep each song below the five-minute mark without diluting the oomph that has made its mark to their cult following. All songs were recorded live at Tracks. Contrary to marketing beliefs, Salindiwa maintains that the album reaches out to everybody without adhering to any preconceived notion or formula. All it takes is an open mind and open, unprejudiced ears. ” – via  Salindiwa FB

the uber-talented youtube fil-am acoustic supastahz, AJ Rafael & Gabe Bondoc, doing the Jason Mraz & James Morrison trizzy. fantastic viddy, the goofin around especially

YouTube - Details In The Fabric (Cover) – AJ Rafael & Gabe Bondoc.

And once again i find myself travelling alone. 29 novembre 2009, 09h45. TGV 5350, Lyon – Rennes.

the window emo shot

Not that it really bugs me — i don’t know if I’ve mentioned it already here, but I remember telling somebody that there’s something peaceful and, to an extent, refreshing with travelling alone. True, you have to watch your own back, i.e. there’s no other people to fall back on or to worry about the stressful things for you, but if you get things right, it gets to be easier than you’d think. Before, I was worrying about how lonely I’ll seem if I do travel alone, but eventually you realise that more than half of the people who travel on trains, planes, or even Metros/undergrounds are usually alone. I’ve noticed how there are only a few groups who travel, and my group of 8 Rennes-JTA is surely an exception.

So this time, while the rest of them are flamenco-ing and/or shopping their eyeballs out in Barcelona, Spain, I went to see Richard in Lyon. I was supposed to go see Barcelona as well, but I decided on it a little too late, and it would’ve been too expensive had i forced it. I would’ve stayed in Rennes, but then realized that I would probably die of depression if i spend four days alone in Rennes. I had nothing scheduled for this weekend, and I only decided on Lyon two weeks ago.

L'experience Lyonaise

Now, Lyon is something that’s in between Paris and Rennes — well more on Paris, since it’s the second biggest metropolitan in France, with a lot of people and a lot of buildings and a couple of arrondisements. More metropolitan than Rennes, but a little less insane than Paris.

My experience in Lyon is quite different from my experience in the other cities i’ve visited. Different in a sense that what made it amazing were the Filipinos whom I’ve met, people whom I wish I’d see sometime in the future, whether when I go back to Europe or when they go back to the Philippines. I honestly envy Richard and Cheska and Mara for having such gracious Titas just a bus-ride away, because it brings the feeling of being home in a foreign country. I had the chance to meet them, even go to dinner and to a party with them. I really can’t explain it, but there’s something wonderful with meeting Filipinos who are living in Europe. It’s like a taste of home after such a long time. Well there really was some literal “taste” of home, since at Tita Michelle’s birthday celebration, they had suman, menudo, ube halaya, and dinuguan! They even had MagicSing, and we all know nothing gives a party that Tatak Pinoy than somebody bawling on MagicSing.

Aside from the Filipinos who just made my Lyon experience one of a kind, I also got to talk to some French who were with the Filipinos. With what little French I know, I struggled as I tried to make up a decent conversation with them. Thankfully two of them knew English, and that made it all easier.

a bientot!

For the first time I found myself tearing up at a train station, when I saw Richard sitting at the platform, waving goodbye while my train slowly went on its way out of Gare. Sigh. Who would’ve thought that we’d have this kind of “see you soon”? Just early this year we were slaving over whatever readings we had at the caf in Ateneo. As it is, it won’t be until a month and a half that i’ll see him, and well, pretty much everyone else.

The whole Europe experience is just absolutely amazing, and it gives you the feeling that you never want to go back to what would seem to be a cesspool of a country, but no beautiful metro system, or clean metropolitan, or amazing shopping, or beautiful people, or fantastic sightseeing could ever replace home.

Ah indeed — the train ride home’s the best time to process things, specially if you’re on a four-hour train ride alone.

this is seriously one talented family… hella mad crazy love & props of course to Nathan (who imho doesn’t need SYTYCD to prove he’s all heart, soul & skillz)

but eyyo, check this:  big bro Mikey Trasoras is so muthalovin NICE widdit in this vid.

(gasp) dare i say?… it’s replaced my former fave of kevin brewer freestyle to “no use”,… though i’ll say it, jazzanova’s a far superior dancing track =)

hawtdaym, mikey t…  dats whassup…

~~~

p.s. I’m secretly wishing to the univerSoul (go power of intention!) that Nathan
will choreo a contempo piece using my trizzack of the moment,
“Jazzanova’s Little Bird ft Jose James “.

so, with that in mind, some Nathan pics below FTW

via nathan-trasoras.com

Mollie & Nathan!

via nathan-trasoras.com

via nathan-trasoras.com

Links

http://rapidshare.com/files/310057855/Dormfucked_asian.wmv

Earlier this morning at 7:00 AM, numerous members of mass media, like television and radio, have gone off the air for one minute as a sign of mourning for the journalists who were among the victims in the Maguindanao massacre. I don’t know with the Pinoy blogosphere—can you put off blogging for one minute at a certain time? o_O Sorry, just trying to elicit a light moment despite this dark period in Philippine history.

~~~~~~~

Yesterday morning, on the way to the gym, I thought of walking through my school, Benguet State University (BSU) just to see how it was doing now. As I was passing through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) building, I noticed the following hand-made poster on the wall:

Truly, the whole nation rebukes the brutal massacre and sympathizes with the victim’s relatives. It’s comforting to know that everyone has a distinct emotion in this tragedy, and that is conflict-resolution, justice, and tranquility.

If you want to see photos of this massacre, visit Speaking One’s Mind, the personal blog of Ryan Ericson Canlas.

~~~~~~~

I can’t believe that I’m still frustrated over the Maguindanao mass murder. Seeing those crying faces of friends and relatives on television, hearing all those descriptions, & reading newspaper articles on that particular act threw me off the board. The fact that a certain political family in Maguindanao possesses a relatively powerful army renders me dead scared. Most of all, just knowing that 57 lives were taken and that the women were raped leave me absolutely stunned. So I’m out of my usual focus, terrified, and don’t know what to think of this tragedy.

A very, very disturbing statement found on yesterday's edition of the Philippine Star.

This recent occurrence and its aftershock convince me that we are all connected. We are drawn to one another. What we do every day, somehow, affects each other’s lives. We are intertwined. This is the reason why we are drawn to the Maguindanao deaths. We feel the pain experienced by the relatives left behind. We feel like we have lost a part of ourselves with their passing; not just because we are Filipinos, but because we are interconnected and sentient human beings. It transcends culture and religion, so even if I am a Christian, I still grieve for the loss of our Muslim siblings. We value life and aspire that everyone accepts and respects it.

But it is not only in death to which we are drawn to. We also convene in happy occasions: Births, baptisms, birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, celebrations. We should always look for ways to turn our bereavement, if not into happy instances, into beautiful interpretations. It is a way of coping, a way in which we could overcome our grief once and for all:

~~~~~~~

Repose for the Victims of the Maguindanao Mass Murder

by Recis C. Dempayos

Hold tight, little sis
So I will be at peace;
Knowing that HE holds tightly
Thine hand and makes thou at ease.
Never let go
Of lessons taught
And the battles we fought.

Don’t weep, dearly beloved
Though alone I am now;
For never would I forget
Our eternally-lasting vow.
This heart throbs
For thee alone
So I’ll try to make it on my own.

Press forward, guardians of law—
Serve not to injustice,
Rather, to GOD
And to a country as this.
May the work thou hath done
Leave a lasting legacy
For future generations to see.

Hail ye, guardians of truth—
For thou revered responsibility;
Through denied attention
But still pushing without impossibility.
Enter the Hall of Valhalla
And savor thine rewards
Together with choruses of bards.

Never worry, my brotherhood
We will be strong;
Celebrating thy courage,
Merrymaking in song.
We meet one day
At the Elysian Fields
When justice finally yields.

Forgive me, my countrymen
Thou hath been taken;
Without answers and expectations
So now, I have been driven.
I will fight
For thy innocence in death
Until my last breath.

I light a candle,
I pray for thee.
My soul bleeds,
And I drop to my knees.
Slammed against the ground,
I look up for comfort
That peace prevails yet again
On the land of my birth,
My home so precious;
So may thy passing
Never be lingered,
Never be futile.
I light a candle,
And I pray for thee.

I light a candle and I pray for you.

~~~~~~~

Want to publish the above image/badge to a post or on the sidebar of your own blog or site? You can copy the following codes and paste them on an HTML-enabled field. Move your cursor over the source code viewers, click the “copy to clipboard” icon on the upper right-hand, and paste to your post or sidebar. If you want, you can also copy the above poem and publish it alongside the image/badge.

For blog posts:

<a href="http://scribesexpress.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/column-nakikiramay-po/"><img class="size-full wp-image-1393" title="I light a candle and I pray for you." src="http://scribesexpress.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/repose-for-the-victims-of-the-maguindanao-mass-murder.jpg" alt="Repose for the Victims of the Maguindanao Mass Murder" width="531" height="480" /></a>

For sidebars:

<p align="center"><a href="http://scribesexpress.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/column-nakikiramay-po/"><img class="size-full wp-image-1393" title="I light a candle and I pray for you." src="http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/985/reposeforthevictimsofth.jpg" alt="Repose for the Victims of the Maguindanao Mass Murder" width="149" height="134" /></a></p>

Beauty pageants. What comes to mind?

• Stupid girls with nothing but looks?
• Intelligent, beautiful women?
• Grace and perfection?
• A popularity contest?
• Miss Congeniality?
• World peace?
• A guy? WTF a guy??!

So anyway, I was ‘inspired’ to write this post as I stumbled onto something on youtube. But before I present it to you, I would like to take a moment and share with you a few of videos that has been on youtube for a while now. But you know, it’s just to get into the pageant kind of mood.

Happy Viewing!!

WARNING
This following video (singular) is quite loud, you may want to turn your speakers down.

This is good, I mean real good. Look at the way she fell. It was as if it was choreographed! AND, let’s say, you looked away for a second and did not see the drop, you wouldn’t of even known. She even gives us a wink

Well,… she’s pretty!!

Yeah… and she won the whole thing too!!

So anyway guys now that we got into the mood… hopefully, I would like to present to you the video that inspired this post. So, above, I listed the expectations some of us may have when we watch a beauty contest. And the last point (the guy one) may have been a bit wierd to comprehend. However, a GAY beauty pageant held in Brasil (or she he was from Brasil) went very well for this delegate. However, things took an awful turn in her his (dammit!!) interview. Take a look.

So sad when that happens! Even though maybe the angry delegate planned only to sabotage and steal the crown, her hair came off too! Duh! But I guess he or she (I’m so confused as to what to call them) now knows to grow their own hair so something like that won’t happen again!!

Bad hair day??
My attempt of humour!! HAHA!

As I was going around the Pinoy blogosphere, I came across this prayer brigade (through Callcenterguy’s blog) that aspires for GOD’s guidance in choosing the right successive Philippine President. I had to pitch in and so, here is my prayer. I fashioned it in the style that our high school counselor taught us on how to make a prayer: First, praise GOD. Second, give thanks. Third, ask for forgiveness. Fourth, pray for someone. Lastly, pray for yourself.

Heavenly FATHER,

I exalt YOU for the amazing things that YOU present me every day. I believe that all that goes on in my life is within YOUR plan. Every detail—that has happened, is now taking place, and will occur—is patterned out. This fact puts me at peace; all praise is definitely to YOU alone.

Thank YOU so much for the experiences, lessons, and opportunities that YOU have given me. Thank YOU for the blessings, forgiveness, guidance, and healing. Thanks very much for being there in every phase of my life. Most of all, thank YOU for directing me to this blog prayer brigade that asks for YOUR guidance in choosing the next rightful leader of our homeland. Thank YOU oh so much for convincing and pushing me to be a part of it.

Forgive me, LORD, for my wrong thoughts, desires, and actions. Forgive my countrymen who continue with everyday wrongdoings or offenses to YOU. Forgive us Filipinos for our ignorance and misplaced stubbornness. Forgive us if we are set apart from YOU and are indifferent to one another because of blood feuds, culture, language, physical obstructions, philosophies, and religions. For every transgression, we ask for YOUR pardon.

LORD, I pray that YOU would grant each and every Filipino the guidance to choose the right paths and to make the right decisions. Most of us don’t know what to do and are lost on the roads of life. Shine a light, LORD, on what we should do, where we should walk, when we should traverse it, and how we would do it. Principally, help us to understand why it should be done. I ask this especially now that the 2010 Presidential elections are fast approaching. Guide us to choose not the good, rather, the right President for our country—someone who embodies YOUR Word; and in doing so, would maneuver us to progress. Do not allow us to be blinded by mere ads & representations and endorsements by the famous. Help us to protect our votes, our decisions, from unscrupulous buyers, cheaters, and the corrupt. Help us to maintain the integrity of the 2010 elections. Guide every Pinoy to be proactive in the elections. I pray that they we will understand and take up our roles and be part of this progressive movement in Philippine history.

LORD, I pray for peaceful elections. I pray that family and social wars related to politics would cease. I pray that people will respect and accept life and the occurrences that YOU allow to happen. I pray for tranquility for the victims of political violence and for the families they have left behind—specifically those killed in the Maguindanao mass murders. I pray that the executioners will follow their conscience and answer to their wrong deeds.

LORD, YOU alone are the leader of our homeland. In the end, every decision, act, and outcome is in YOUR control. YOU will always be the Father of the Philippines, now and forever and ever.

AMEN.

I was supposed to post this last Tuesday, but with the recent news on the Maguidanao massacre, I felt that I had to change the prayer that I composed then to fit the current situation. I posted the prayer on the sidebar, hopefully to inspire other Pinoy bloggers who go here to do the same. I’ve tagged nine Pinoy bloggers to join this prayer brigade (also found on the sidebar), and am looking for others to add to the list.

Here is my pledge:

I, Rogue|Hero support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the Election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

I tag the following bloggers whom I have never met to do the same in their blogs and in their daily prayers:

Albert

deejay

Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD

Jane

johnonline

Lisa A.

I also tag the following bloggers whom I know or have come to know:

Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda

Peter S.

the scribbler on the roof

~~~~~~~

If you would like to take part in this, simply do the following:

1. Write a short, sincere and meaningful prayer, (in your own words and according to the customs of your religious affiliation) about asking God in guiding our country and fellowmen in choosing the right candidate to vote for in the coming 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. It can be in your own vernacular, and can be short and long as you please. Remember, the goal of the prayer is not only for Peaceful Election but most of all “for the guidance of choosing the right Presidential candidate to vote in the election”

2, Publish the prayer for everyone to Read in your blog.

3. Go to the Blog Prayer Brigade Main Page which is located here, and get one of the badges or banners for the brigade. Place the badge or banner in your Sidebar until the 2010 Presidential Elections commence.

4. Make an oath by filling the blank below with your handle/or name

I, _____________________(name) support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the Election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

5. Tag at least 7 Pinoy bloggers you know who haven’t done this before so that the prayer will spread wherever there is a Pinoy blogger present.

6. Keep you promise of praying for the Presidential Election so that God may guide us in choosing the right leader for our country.

7. In January 2010, we will gather all the names and prayers of each participants and publish all their prayers in one blog. We will also feature in the blog the most beautiful prayer ever composed in this project.

Having been staying in Thailand for 1 year and 6 months, I have observed that there are many similarities between Filipinos and Thai probably because both countries are in South East Asian region be it in terms of culture and traditions, way of life and physical features…as for the physical aspects maybe its because there are also many Chinese or Caucasian looking people in both countries due to interracial marriages or migration.

Below are some of the popular celebrities in Philippines and Thailand which has a lot of similar physical features..you be the judge who is better looking…

First picture  is popular singer-actress-model KC Concepcion while the next picture  is model, actress Sonia Couling. Interestingly, both are former MTV VJ’s.

Picture on the left is hugely popular Pinoy actor, Piolo Pascual who has been a household name for many years. On the right is Laotian-Australian but Bangkok born actor, Ananda Everingham who became immensely popular with the hit horror movie “Shutter”.

Maybe not too many people will agree with me about these 3rd match-up. First picture is actor-model John Estrada and second picture is model and former MTV VJ Utt (sorry forgot his last name). I see very striking resemblance between the two especially during Estrada’s younger days.

So there…not sure if there are many more Pinoy-Thai celebrity look alikes out there cos I don’t know too many celebrities in Thailand.

Mga SMS, text messages, jokes, at greetings sa Pasko.

Lechon man ay
nais kong ipadala.
At may hamon
pang kasama,
pero diet mo
ay aking inaalala.
Kaya text nlang..
Zero cholesterol pa!
Maligayang Pasko!

I know of some magicians in the Philippines who  revamp their entire magic show every year.

I envy these magicians.  I want to change my shows, too, but my efforts are thwarted by the following reasons:

• Changing the entire show requires huge investment in time and money.
• Changing the entire show in one fell swoop will result in a less-developed program that may not be as entertaining as the current show.
• The clients (most of them hired me because they have seen my show) would insist to see the same act.

The last reason is the strongest reason that,  for a period of time, I’m stuck with my current show.

The feeling is like that of being marooned in a desert—although I have not been to a desert before, so I don’t really know how it feels to be stranded there.

I suppose it is not artistically rewarding to be doing the same show over and over again. However, it can be good business.  In Broadway the longer a show runs, the more profitable it is for the producers. Still, one day, a show, no matter how big a blockbuster, will exhaust its appeal. People will not come anymore to watch it.  And the production folds up.

Magic in the Philippines is a small industry with overcrowded performers. A magic show has shorter run than Cats or Phantom of the Opera. The clients’ point of exhaustion is shorter for a magic show.

So over years of performing, I have found a way—a middle ground—out of this stalemate. I don’t make  wholesale changes to my show.  I merely add and drop a trick here and there. Several months later, I have a show that is somewhat different from my show at the start of the year.

Stay magical,

Leodini

www.leodini.com

Mga panalong quotes ni Bob Ong.

“iba ang walang ginagawa sa gumagawa ng wala”

“mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa ng isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala”

“Pare, isa kang totoong tao at walang halong kasinungalingan.
In English, FACT you, pare. Totoo ka. In English, FACT you!”

“Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa ng isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala.”

“Ayokong nasasanay sa mga bagay na pwede namang wala sa buhay ko.”

“Hinahanap mo nga ba ako o ang kawalan ko?”

“Nalaman kong habang lumalaki ka, maraming beses kang madadapa. Bumangon ka man ulit o hindi, magpapatuloy ang buhay, iikot ang mundo, at mauubos ang oras.”

“Sabi nila, sa kahit ano raw problema, isang tao lang ang makakatulong sa’yo – ang sarili mo. Tama sila. Isinuplong ako ng sarili ko. Kaya siguro namigay ng konsyensya ang Diyos, alam niyang hindi sa lahat ng oras e gumagana ang utak ng tao.”

“Mangarap ka at abutin mo. Wag mong sisihin ang sira mong pamilya, palpak mong syota, pilay mong tuta, o mga lumilipad na ipis. Kung may pagkukulang sa’yo mga magulang mo, pwde kang manisi at maging rebelde. Tumigil ka sa pag-aaral, mag-asawa ka, mag-drugs ka, magpakulay ka ng buhok sa kili-kili. Sa banding huli, ikaw din ang biktima. Rebeldeng walang napatunayan at bait sa sarili.”

I reviewed someone’s work so well that he had to hate me back. Check below to see the flow of conversation we both had. He’s a Filipino like me.

HIM:

Well, thanks for your comment
but this is my style of sharing my sentiments
and I think there is no definite rule to be follwed in poetry….
besides, that and which are conjunctions with the same functions .

thanks for the visit brother and more power

I still reviewed his works

HIM:

well, brother its your right to correct
well, can you visit my poetry site at
www.poemhunter.com/***** and
do some correction specially with spelling,
diction and coherence of words and tenses

sometimes I can’t edit them for I write
as they come in my mind direct to the
computer….

I apprecate if you have the time doing so

best wishes

He even tried to review mine, to which he got pissed because this was my reply to him

ME:

First off, thanks for reviewing my work, specially that I’m the first review you did. We have a rule here though, that we can’t post any works until we have at least 2 reviews. You clearly disobeyed that rule but all is fine. Just one more review and you should be out of the blue.

Here’s my reply to your review, in case you don’t read my response.

yeah thanks. but if i did what you have suggested, i’d be wrong in tenses and plurality.

thanks. you have nice ideas though you pretty much changed the whole context of it.

correcting someone is not equal to making the work your own.

what you did was take the work as your own and spitting it right back telling them “THIS is how it’s supposed to be done”.

nice try though

Your review was very surprising. You’ve improved on grammar and sentence construction greatly. Keep it up.

Which he then replied

HIM:

thanks again for your message.

Well, i am not really so aggressive in reviewing other’s work as I see no significance on my part. Besides, I am not a gramarian per se being an accountant by profession. I just got the passion of writing poetry ever since i was in high high school. Some like the way I wrote while many didn’t dare to read even. Nevertheless, their are those that appreciated the uniqueness of my style.

I am not actually a good poet, but definitely, I can write and express myself with rhythm and melody as I weaved words to display my thoughts, emotions, experiences, concepts and convictions in life.

I am not really amenable in critiquing others works as I respected their own ways, style and capability. This is the very reason why, I seldom critique or give bad comments or correction to others products. I was really surprised that their are those who pretend to be more intelligent than others as if they have all the monopoly of knowledge and better understanding of things in this world. Anyway, wisdom comes to those who seek it with pureness of thoughts and conviction.

I hope to always hear from you and if you have time, do critique my works.

thanks a lot and more power

So I finally just jumped in the flames to have my own fun.

ME:

Regarding the review system…

It is actually more of an ethical thing to do rather than a rule here.

You see, members who just post and post their works here and not review well or anything AT ALL are supposed to be ignored. This website was put up so fellow writers can help each other thru reviewing/critiquing.

I actually expected you to be upset since your first pm to me. I was just playing you for a while LOL. But I see this little grammar issue has got the best of you.

Your message right now makes me think that you cannot take criticisms. You need not state any information as an excuse or valid reason for the correction done to you.

I find it funny that you’re an accountant and you can’t even correct your own work since accountants are supposed to be good, or at least well versed, in the English language.

Since you provided yours, I’ll provide mine.

I’m a student right now and I’m currently NOT enrolled in a literature degree nor is the program I’m in anywhere near that of the arts and literature. My main focus right now is chemistry, math,engineering,and food science. My “course” does not require me to be well off in the English language while yours make you master it.

Accountants often work with word problems in college, specially with depreciation and accrual of interests. I know because I took basic accounting and even my professor said that their major is not math but English. I’m not good in English but I strive to look up words and phrases just so my readers won’t have a hard time reading.

Isn’t that ironic Mr.Banggolay? If you can’t have mastery of language, what more someone like me who doesn’t even have English as a major?

I understand that English isn’t your primary language but it doesn’t excuse you nor anyone not to learn how to use it properly. With the current technology we have right now, and with the invention and innovation of the internet, we can learn pretty much anything with a click of a mouse.

Earlier, you stated that you write your works on a whim which may seem like a good excuse but it isn’t. Ever heard of spell check? Why not review your own work before clicking “publish” or “submit”. There’s even a “preview” button right next to it which serves as a means of seeing any noticeable errors.

I am not really amenable in critiquing others works as I respected their own ways, style and capability

True. We all respect each other’s works here. BUT the purpose of this website is to show your work and let others light knowledge and wisdom over it. It’s a give and take relationship we have here. Imagine if EVERYONE thinks the same way as you do. No one will grow as a good writer. No one will review/criticize anyone because they “respect” them.

If you just post and post and post without reviewing, that in itself is already a selfish act. You want others to read your works and critique them you but you don’t want to do anyone that favor.

Those people use their time, effort, and even sometimes, lose sleep over a work so that the author may know his mistakes or if he could make the work better or more interesting. What you did on mine was merely making the work your own when it isn’t. You don’t criticize by taking the works of others and telling them “this is how it’s supposed to be done”. What I did to your works, which were awfully wrong in grammar anyway, was put you in the right track. I didn’t claim the work, I just corrected spelling and grammar which is supposed to be standard correction in case you are not aware.

Imagine if you’re favorite book author used the wrong grammar you used in your works, would you still read the book? What if your local newspaper was littered with so many errors? Would you still buy that newspaper? These authors undergo spell checks, grammar analysis, even thru hardcore critiques just to get an opinion. They sometimes pay them large sums of money just so they can have a professional’s approval.

It wouldn’t hurt to have good grammar. I mean, just look at “Twilight”. That book had good grammar but it was ridiculed nonetheless by Stephen King and hundreds more credible authors. What more if the grammar was wrong?

It is insulting for the ones who read your work to be “forced” to read rather than enjoy it. Reading your work is like them doing you a favor and what do you show them? Errors in spelling, sentence construction, wrong grammar, wrong tenses, misplaced verbs, etc.

It’s writers’ ethics. If you want them to read your work, read theirs first. Being an accountant, you should know the basic principles of “balancing”. You must give equal to what you take. It’s just that you must give more in this site by reviewing.

I was really surprised that their are those who pretend to be more intelligent than others as if they have all the monopoly of knowledge and better understanding of things in this world.

I’m sorry if I seemed harsh on you but I had all the good intentions in all my reviews. This would really seem that you want people to criticize your work but when someone actually does it, you hate on them.

If you missed it, here’s the rule on grammar in this site

3. Chatspeak or really bad grammar: We’re a writing community so chatspeak isn’t allowed (aside from smilies and common acronyms like ‘lol’). In the same vein, we want all posts to be using decent grammar. Nobody expects anyone’s grammar to be even close to perfect, but if you feel like stabbing your eyes out after reading a post, report it. Please note that this does not apply to literary works! For literary works, you can critique instead of report.

If you don’t criticize the works you read then you are depriving that author his right to be corrected and criticized. You are then prohibiting that author to grow as a good writer.

Again, I am not supposed to be reviewing you since you had like 0 reviews then (now you have 1). This site wants to promote a trade of reviews and constructive criticism. If you have less than 5 then that means you are either a newbie or just plain lazy to critique. More likely than not, we opt for the latter reason.

So why not build a good image by reviewing? Try some short poetry. Don’t be lazy, don’t give me that “I respect their ways of writing” crap. It’s not even a valid argument. Not doing anything at all is worse than doing something wrong. Why? because doing something, whether wrong or not, means you are THINKING, you are RISKING, and you can make a DECISION while doing nothing simply means you’re not capable of deciding on anything. Even the Bible states that.

Funny how we should’ve learned basic English when we were still in elementary and yet you who is already a professional doesn’t even have mastery over it.

I don’t know what happens when you write your works but the messages you send me seem to be almost without tarnish. Why can’t you do the same to your work? Don’t you respect your works? If it is truly a passion, why not aim to be best at it? It’s just a regular past time for me too, but I take writing seriously. You are what you write after all.

In which I think pwnt him so much he didn’t reply after. /gg

Wednesday’s Performance Tip: Don’t Discombobulate the Audience with a Cluttered Plot.

Does your magic have a kicker to a kicker to a kicker?

Does your Ambitious Card rise to the top of the deck several times, change its color, have a mutating back design, go blank, miss a pip, disappear from the deck and end inside a lemon that turns into an orange that you squeeze into a glass to make an orange juice that turns into a cola that turns into a milk that…?

Oh, well…

Do magic with a David Blaine-simple plot. When asked what David did, a girl on the street who witnessed his magic summarized the plot  in one sentence, “He floated.”

If the plot of your trick takes two sentences to summarize, rethink it. A crystal-clear thinking might lead to a streamlined version of your trick’s plot.

Stay magical,

Leodini

www.leodini.com

I like to speak with my children often, but my children prefer to talk to their mobile phones instead.

They only find time to talk to me when they run out of “load”, as in “Papa, pahingi pang load.”

I don’t blame them for not finding me a good conversationalist.  I speak 10 languages, seven of those I don’t understand, so what can I expect from the kids?

My wife fares less in the talking department. She has a hypnotic voice.  When she talks to me, I fall asleep.

There’s not much conversation in the house. For the most part, we have a silent home, which became the inspiration of Austrian priest Joseph Mohr to compose the lyrics of “Silent Night”.

I have a brilliant idea to solve this situation. One of these days, when I grow up, I want to be a mobile phone. Then the children will love to talk to me.

Sorry, I’m just talking to myself…

Stay magical,

Leodini

www.leodini.com

sabi nila mali daw magmahal ng sobra,
mali din daw ang kulang.
kailangan daw ung tama lang.
pano nga ba magmahal ng tama?
kung ang alam kong tama ay higit pa
sa sobra?

kadalasan sinasabi natin sa mhal natin
masaya ako kung san ka masaya pero pag nawala na
masaya ka ba talaga?
minsan sadyang mahirap tanggapin na kung san sya
masaya dun ka nasasaktan

kadalasan sinasabi natin sa mhal natin
masaya ako kung san ka masaya pero pag nawala na
masaya ka ba talaga?
minsan sadyang mahirap tanggapin na kung san sya
masaya dun ka nasasaktan

Isang araw..

naglayas ako..
naligaw..
nasaktan..
umibig..
at nabigo..

iniwan at
walang dumamay..

nadapa
pero
muling
bumangon
at lumaban..

Galing noh?

isang araw lang
lahat ng yon!

Evening: 9pm. in my Room sitting infornt of my computer desk. Ughhh trying to get serious..

I was reading my required daily dose of Med-Surg when suddenly I snapped out from a trance and realized I was staring blankly on the pages of what I was supposed to be reading. Again! Now when did this big boring black hole pop out on these books I’m supposed to read? hmmm. What to do to make me focus on these prints and keep myself away from halting on to unnecessary reverie?

See. I’m reviewing for the coming NLE exam this Novemebr 29 and 30. Considerably, its still quite far from now, I still have 55+ days; but looking at the topics and the stacked books I still have to study, I should start getting serious… I have to!

Long term goal: to earn a license and work,

Short Term Goal: I have to beat that other Guy in the exam (whom I’ll tell you more about next time. lol)

For some people, it is enough motivation for them to be scared about the fact their taking the exams. But me? I could be a problematic case… I don’t have that kind of motivation. don’t get me wrong. I am scared. but that’s just about it. I only get scared when I think about it…So I easily shut the idea and then get myself preoccupied with something else; like bum around the computer all day, playing Fall-out 3, facebooking, Sims 3 or whatever.

Oblivious… Maybe I’m in the state of denial or I’m just waiting for the right time to start cramming (not a good practice I admit) which got me by since day one in college. Or I’m in a state of delusion that luck is with me and I could pass the exam anyways…

This is not the end. The exam’s still ahead, I still have a chance. Better get back to my nerdy activities and hope that blackhole won’t show up again…:-S

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