RIP Sir Francis M

It was 7:45pm, barely awake, I sat down at our half-broken 3 seater sofa to prepare for another night of work. While trying to gather myself from my short sleep, My wife broke the news that Francis M died. I just replied casually, "talaga?". During my nap I somehow heard the voice of Joey Deleon saying about Francis M in the news, about the music and tv industrys loss or something.

while on my way to work, it sinked it -- Francis M Died-- The man from Manila. The man that influenced me to love rap and once upon a time though very short, to be a freestyle rapper in my life.

And just like when Ka Bel died, amidst the noise of the friday night traffic in Makati CBD, while holding my marlboro light walking along ayala ave, I cried. Tears for a fallen comrade who sang songs of the people and for the people, their joys and aspirations, trials and hardships -- answering the call of his time.

He may not be a perfect man or lived a life of a saint but he lived true enough and saw through the beautiful facade of our rotten, decadent and backward society and echoed all this through his music.

This alone makes him a better man and worthy of mourning his loss. RIP Sir Francis M, your words and music will be greatly missed.

Francis M. with Gloc 9 and Stick Figgas...

Liham sa Pangulo

"Mahal na pangulo bakit mahal ang mga bilihin
Di mo na nanaisin na tumira dito sa bayan natin
Ang kinain ng mayaman tinatapon sa basura
Pinupulot ng mahirap mapuno lang ang sikmura
Balahurang nahalal halos kaban ng bayan isinugal
Isinambulat sa Senado at sa dyaryo binulgar
Napahiya’t ayaw umamain na sila’y nagnakaw din
Di lang sa pagkain pati sa pera ay matakaw din
At pagdating sa lupain sila ay mga buakaw din
Lahat ay inaangkin kahit ano ay gagawin
Mga sakim, ganid sa ginto di makuntento sa milyon
Bilyon ang gusto kahit ang bayan ay baon
Sa utang at sa kangkungan pupulutin
Tanong ko lang sa inyo mahal niyo ba ang bayan natin
Mahal na pangulo paano na ang pilipinas
Lantarang pagnanakaw araw araw di lilipas"

Don Self(ish), Homeland (In)Security

Puchangna! Lumabas ang mga matatapang dito!

Hindi ko mapigilan ilabas ang inis ko! 630am pa lang pumuputok na ang ugat ko sa utak dahil sa inis!gusto kong pumatay ng tao! nasa trabaho ako ngayon at kapag dumating ang boss ko siguradong sya ang mapagbabalingan ko ng galit!

Taksil! Walang utang na loob at mukhang pera!

Yan si Don Self! wala kang kwenta. Idol pa naman kita. Parati kong ginagaya ang linya mo, "Don Self,Homeland security! Pwet mo may uod! Isa kang manggagamit.

Akala ko pa namna ikaw ang personificationng anti-establishment, anti-mafia, anti-cartel, principled govt employee. Yun pala wala kang pinagkaiba sakanila!

Lekat yang Prison Break na yan. Akala ko tapos na yun pala pagaabangin na naman ako, pagdadadownloadinat pagaaksyahin ng kuryente!

"Frustration must be killing you" sabi ni Michael Scofield. Titi mo may pulbos! Bwiset! Tama lang wag nyo nang palitan ang pangalan ng TV series nyo! Prison Break, pwet!

Wag lang magkrus ang landas natin Don Self dahil isaksak ko hindi lang scylla card kundi pati na ang mga card holders jan sa tumbong mo! Wala kang patawad pati ang maganda at seksi si Trishanne e pinatay mo! huhuhu.

Sobrang apektado talaga ako. Bwiset na umaga to!

Yes, We Can! - Si, Se Puede! OBAMA for President!!

Mag eeleksyon na naman sa Amerika. At dahil epal ako pipili pa rin ako ng gusto kong kandidato. I am for Barack Obama!

Though I know for a fact that social change cannot and will not be effected with just a simple election, I still believe Obama can improve the lot of the Americans.

Lesser evil, that's Obama.

My Great Singapore Experience

This Monday at 630 AM I will be boarding my flight back to the Philippines.

Though I have sent my farewell email to my Filipino colleagues, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the locals and other races that one way or another have touched my life during my great stay in Singapore.

It has been a very great ride -- though a not so good of an ending and not the one that i prefer or expect, it is very much needed for me to grow as a person.

I would like to thank each and every one of you...

First the best bank in Singapore, United Overseas Bank for the opportunity. I give thanks to the management for their confidence and trust given to the Filipino callboys and callgirls. I hope you still continue to look for talents in the Philippines.

To Aaron, na kasing gwapo ko I will never forget the birthday cake, mooncake, tshirt and the Team spirit that you try to spread among us.

To Leon, na kasing gwapo ko rin thanks for taking the extra mile of helping me. From now on, I will try to immitate that contagious smile of yours.

To my teammates. Vela thanks for the food and the tears that you shed for me. Its very obvious that you had a crush on me. Glycel thanks for the prayers and the suppport you have extended to me, especially introducing me to your church. Belle, for the patience and beautiful chinese songs you sang. To Anna, for those cheap packed lunch. To Rodel, na katanungan ko din sa mga cases na hindi ko alam at sa mga tech na kwentuhan. To Marineth, na type din ako, may utang ka pa sakin sa taxi fare ha! Elaine, yung puso mo ha. always check your blood pressure. Dont eat pork, dont eat beans. You are not getting any younger OK? Avon, ehem! excuse me?! Betty Boop istatue?

To my Pares and yosimates and future patients of Lung Centre -- Laarni and Jill(non smoker), thanks for the great time in JB. Laarni dami ko na palang utang sayo. regards kay Dodong. Hermy, H-E-R-M-Y, damn! ill surely miss you pare and those long nights working. Dont forget to turn of the lights and the aircon! Donna, yung pag-arte mo galingan mo ha! Too bad Martin is not there anymore. Razel the epitomy of filipina conservatism, can you forward THAT picture? Richard, pare kaya mo yan! To My fellow Manileno batchmates (Lea, Cath, JR, Nikki, Neys) Kita-kits tayo sa Manila kung uuwi kayo ha.

To my other batchmates (Bisaya and Ilongo) you all know who you are. Daghang Salamat!
Pinoys in Block 144, Sa mga "kabible study" (drinkmates) ko Loi, Mamu, Jeff, Jason, Roel, Christi, Sheila, Gladys and others, Every Friday or Saturday Night is always a great time for me.

To my former housemates (ala Birdcage) -- Pochi for your understanding and patience especially on my rubbish that you untiringly cleaning. To JP, JD, Ice, Monet-- thanks to you guys. All of you made me strengtehn my respect to the third sex.

To the Kamotes -- Renz for the great voice. too bad performing at one of the bars in Clark Quay or Esplanade will not materialize anymore. Nelo for the old and corny jokes. Rey for reminding me that no matter how old or corny a joke is you can still enjoy it, all you need is a small brain and shallowness (Mababaw, tama ba ung english?) Don for the inspiring and truthful words. Though we are the same age, your knowledge and wisdom is far more profound, for this I envy you. To Mark and Rica, Sophie, Sally, and Kuya Mike I will never forget the history of your family, how your casual story telling made a crybaby out of me. I can relate to the struggles that you and your family had overcome. I am confident that the future of your family is bright.

Nelo, Don and Mike-- I really learned alot from you guys. All those talks about fatherhood and the sacrifices you've made for your families humble me. I hoped I knew you guys earlier. Renz and Rey-- the bachelor kamotes, please let go of the insecurities of me. Pedro is Pedro, Juan is Juan and definitely Mark is only Mark -- no matter how you dress or how many bling-blings you have you will not come close to my awesomeness (hehehe)

To the Malditas and my true and trusted friends -- Mommy Owen na nauna na sa PInas, Rheena, Coy Gerald I thank you for helping me out especially when I first came to Singapore. To Alma, Jean, Joan, Kirk and Dionne, Ms Joan, Mike and Cris, Karen and Briggs and Leah and Nathan you really showed me the true meaning of friendship.

To others that I wasnt able to mention kilala nyo kung sino na kayo. If you owe me money pls FT it ASAP. If you cant remember then thats why I updated this blog and sent you an sms to remind you. I need the money. (hehehe)

I really dont know to describe my feelings right now and how emotionally indebted I am. I guess words are not enough or cant express what I want to say. Again, thank you very much for the great experience!

PS
Donations are welcome for my scholarship foundation! 355/382/563/4 (UOB) AND remittance: acct no. 360/900/988/7 Bank of the Philippine Islands, Dona Soledad Branch. (Shery Funcion). Any amount not lower than $10 is very welcome!!! All proceeds will be directed to my personal and familys' needs while I am looking for a job!!!

i am alone in a foreign land.with a few known friends and alot of unknown, to-be-earned friends but definitely no family.
its a puzzle why i am here.
why am i really here? I dont know.
evry second of every minute of every hour of everyday of week of evry month, i long for my family or my son. that is the reason i guess. a big mistake.
why am ihere?
to work, to earn money -- lots of it! to secure my childs future. things that the country i love cant provide.
I have become melo dramatic since i arrived here. that's the good side of all this shit. i have come to know the new me, the ever changing me. God knows what will happen in the coming days (I have come to know God and call him -- another "good" thing). I might end up on side street on the foot of our 5 storey HDB bldg, with a crakced head OR a lung cancer patient in one of the epxensive hosptals here because i consume 3 packs of marlboro light per week or in the staircase unconcious bathe with shit and puke because of so being wasted by last nights drinking session or in my 2 person room, alone and lying in my bed, brain dead...

Kay Amper, biktima ng lipunan

Nabasa ko ang isang news item sa inquirer.net tungkol sa isang batang babae na nagsuicide dahil sa kahirapan. Nagbigti ito sa kanilang bahay dahil sa kawalang pag-asa ng kalagayan ng kanilang pamilya.

Maaring hindi na nga bago ang isyu ng kahirapan, nagsusumigay ito araw-araw sa ating mga pagmumukha. Sa mga bata sa Pasay Rotonda na nagpupunas ng mga sapatos ng mga pasahero sa jeep, sa mga Maria Clara sa Ermita, Quezon Ave at Makati Ave, Sa mamang may malking nagnanaknak na sugat sa binti at namamalimos ng awa sa may Alabang, Sa mag-amang nasa kariton sa tagiliran ng Peoplesupport kahit madaling araw, at batang lalaki na binugbog dahil nahuling pumulot ng 2 pirasong ponkan sa Bicutan Market, Sa matandang pinagmumura ng kundoktor habang bumababa sa Mandtrade dahil nag 123, sa 2 batang babaeng may dalang tambol at magpapaikot ng lata para sa konting barya sa mga pasahero ng bus sa SSH at marami pang mga pinoy na walang mukha at pangalan na lalong ninakwan ng pagkatao dahil sa kahirapan. At ngayon si Marianette Amper, pinatanda ng kahirapan, kinikilala ngayon ng midya, politiko at ng buong bansa dahil pinatay ang sarili dahil sa di na matiis na kagutuman.
Ngunit dahil sa may kaalwanang nadarama (o ilusyon nito) ang ilan sa may "kakayahang" magapi ang kahirapan ay nagsasawalang-bahala.

Nakakabaliw dahil kahanay ng news item na ito ay ang isyu ng suhulan sa Malacanang. Kalahating milyon kada Tongressman habang isa ng bata ay nagpakamatay dahil ni itlog o pancit canton o baka kahit lamesa ng paglalagyan nito ay wala. Isang malaking putang-ina!

Hindi tuloy maaalis sa isip ko kung ang kumitil sa buhay ni Marianette Amper ay sarili nyang mga murang kamay o kagagawan ng isang lipunan -- mga tao at institusyon, kaugalian, interes nito na nagsasawalang-kibo sa mga dinadanas ng ibang kasapi ng lipunan nito. Lipunang salat sa puso at puspos ng utak at sikmura -- utak na mapanlamang at mapagsamantala at sikmurang may kakayahang gawin at ipagpatuloy ang lahat ng kabaliwang ito.

Truth is not told, it is realized

Nung PM shift pa ako ay madalas (read: hindi araw-araw) ako manood ng mga pelikula from different movie link sites. http://www.tv-links.co.uk/, http://www.sidereel.com/ at ang pinakapaborito ko http://www.movieforumz.net/. Ang panood ng kung ano-ano mula sa mga sites na ito ang usong-uso sa Forcedesk. Hehehe, pasensya na mga kapwa ko rta's. At eto pa ang isang bomba nagmula ito sa isang QA analyst na syota ng isang RTA. Pareho kong tropang ang mga nabanggit na mga tao. Maraming salamat Percy at Abby.

Habang naghahanap ng pamatay oras noong petiks na gabi ng NOv.2, All Souls Day. Knowing na walang mga asungot sa FD area, sumagi sa isip ko na 2 bagay ang pwede kong gawin sa mga nalalabi kong araw sa PS: A. Ang magpagago at lalong magpakaadik sa tulog B Lalong maging magpakagago at manood na lang ng pelikula C: i update ang lecheng blog na ito.

Napili ko letter B dahil mahaba na ang itinulog ko bago pumasok sa trabaho. Masarap at mahaba ang aking pogi rest dahil wala sa bahay ang aking mag-ina. Kasama ng aking ate sa bahay namin, naghanda sila para dalawin ang anghel ng aming pamilya si Venice Nova or Nice.
Mula sa http://www.movieforumz.com/ nakita ko ang ZEITGEIST, The Movie - Official Release - Full Film under sa category ng Paranormal & Religion under sa Documentaries. Hindi ko agad pinansin despite the fact na maraming entry sa nasabing site. Mahirap kasi ipronounce ung title. Pero kung anong hirap ibigkas ang title nito ay sya namang ganda ng Zeitgeist.

Sa tingin ko ay malaking tulong ito sa mga aktibistang pinoy para lalo pang iugnay ang kahirapan at pagsasamantala sa Imperyalistang US. At idagdag sa mga pag-aaral na nakapaloob Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino ni Amado Guererro.

Hindi ko alam kung sign ito na huwag akong tumuloy sa Singapore pero binuhay ng pelikula ang dugo ng pagiging Atheist at Aktibista ko. Bahala na bagang, Ill try to watch it again, dissect and digest it and try to think and weigh things out.

For now, ill support the film by spreading the word. You can watch this great movie here http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5547481422995115331&hl=en
and check their website http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/