Getting ready for "The Big One."

Because of recent earthquakes happening in the world, the Philippines is getting ready for the "Big One."

The largest Earthquake Drill will be held in Metropolitan Manila which starts at 10:30 am. Some 5-6 million people are expected to participate in the July 30 Metro Manila shake drill to test the resiliency of the people in case a 7.2-magnitude earthquake or stronger hits the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Wednesday.

“A total of 538 organizations have signified their intent to join the drill. All public and private schools and universities will join, as well as hospitals, religious sectors, business process outsourcing companies, business groups, malls and even transport groups,” MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said.

For more information about the shake drill on 30 July, people can visit Be Prepared Metro Manila or Metro Manila Shake Drill for more details.

Mud cakes?

How poor is poor? In some part of the world, poor people are resorting on eating mud.

Hungry people in the slums of Haiti are giving new meaning to the phrase "dirt poor." Haiti relies heavily on food imports, but with prices soaring, some Haitians are resorting to eating mud. The cookies -- made of dirt, butter and salt -- hold little nutritional value, but manage to keep Haiti's poor alive.

What's Happening With Our Youth?

This is the infamous "pabebe girls." Pabebe? What the hell does that mean? According to Rappler, it's from a video of two sassy teenagers (sassy?) that has gone viral, turning Janet and Michelle, better known as the "Pabebe Girls," into stars practically overnight.

A what?

I really don't care about this stupid YouTube video and those talent-less local actresses and this gay comedian ( who is really NOT FUNNY)  trying to lift this piece of shit into something else, but come on!

However, contemplating on this, it just gives me a frightening look at today's Filipino youth.

Now, who should I blame?

Maybe I'm just wondering what happen to the Filipino youth. Sayang diba? Our national hero, Gat. Jose Rizal once believed that the youth  is the hope of our nation, but what kind of hope these kind of kids will bring us?

So again, who should I blame?

These er...vile creatures are a product of what? Well, for starters - our declining media - poor TV and movie programs that corrupt our youth's mind in exchange for profit. Then there are these so-called "books" that implant idiocies. Stories that justify teen relationships that doesn't focus on the realities of responsibilities. We also have actors and actresses that plays these character from these junk literature, further strengthening the doltishness of the young people who watch and read these sick stuff.

The list goes on and on and on...

Bulaklak Ng Maynila

Just watched "Bulaklak Ng Maynila." The movie was based from Domingo G. Landicho's novel with the same title.

So, what can I say? I admire Ms. Elizabeth Oropesa's acting - syempre naman... and I think Ms. Angelu de Leon's portrayal as Ada was also OK, but again, the story is too typical and predictable.

So, the story goes like this...

Azun (Elizabeth Oropesa) is a wife and mother living in a slum in Manila, where she sells goods on the street. Azun's husband Roque (Bembol Roco) becomes involved in a burglary that goes awry, leading to a lengthy jail sentence. Needing safety and support, Azun becomes involved with Timo (Christopher De Leon), leader of a local crime syndicate. But Timo's protection does not extend to Azun's teenage daughter Ada (Angelu De Leon); Timo rapes Ada, then forces her to leave her boyfriend (Jomari Yllana) and start dancing in his strip club. When Azun learns what Timo has done to Ada, she makes plans to get her revenge. 

Life in urban poor Manila, a battered wife, someone who because of poverty, was prompt to become a bar dancer in a girlie bar and as a finishing, rape and revenge. Very predictable.

I didn't find Christopher De Leon's character as something new. Masyado ng gasgas yung ganyang uring character sa mga Pilipino films, yet Christopher De Leon's performance as Timo earned him Best Actor honors at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Over all, I give the film 3-star.

Don't blame the children.

VOICELESS IN THE VOICE INDUSTRY

Dr. Rene Ofreneo, Professor at the School of Labor and Industrial Relation, University of the Philippines, an article co-authored with Mr. Christopher Ng and Ms. Leian Marasigan, in an article published in the IJIR, (Vol. 42, No. 4, April 2007, noted:

Trophy or Treasure?

So, you love her because of her beauty huh? Then she’s just your trophy, not your treasure. To be a treasure is not about conquering a pretty face, but to cherish a loving heart.

Visual Aids

The world is so nearsighted when it comes to love. Some people are too shallow.

We look at people based on how she looks like - a pretty face, a slim figure, an enchanting smile, but then what? It will wrinkle as time ravage the body. Skin will be flabby, teeth with fall off and heck - she may even become fat or crooked.

We tend to forget that inward beauty is more durable. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.”