Ondoy could very well be called "Storm of the Year". A national newspaper even compared it to hurricane Katrina. Both left the same results: suffering, desctruction, and death. Everything was like something out of a movie. It was awful!

I didn't experience Ondoy's fury first-hand. I was in Cebu for work, where the weather was very pleasant. If it weren't for my worried mom's phone call, I would have still been oblivious to Ondoy's activites. And I was even bound for Manila the day of the flood. My flight had been canceled.

Watching the news of the days events really had me worried. I kept calling my family, worried for their safety. (This is where we can really test the services of telecommunications companies. Guess who failed?) I learned that our house's first floor had already been submerged. I felt helpless when I talked to my scared niece over the phone. I tried to console her as best I could. What else could I have done? I can't control the weather. I can't stop the storm.

Now that after the water had receded and seeing a lot of our possessions soaked and destroyed, I am comforted by the fact that at least my family is safe. That's what mattered. Material possessions could be replaced. We had it easy compared to what happened to others.

The storm has passed. But another one is looming. Hope it's not like the last one.

Hey guys! It's been over a month since I last updated my website. Sorry for that.

As usual, I have been busy with work and other stuff.

But for this entry, I would like to share with you some of the songs I like. Those who know me know that I love music. My Ipod is stuffed with so much music. It shows my eclectic taste in music. Check out the song I'm embedding. Hope you like it as well.

"The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script

This song really moves me.

Click to read more.

I'm sure a lot of people have already seen the sequel to Transformers. I just saw it today.

Here's my review of it. Remember, I'm not a movie critic. I'm just a regular Joe (John, if you would prefer.) This is just my personal view about the film.

Visually, it's great. If this was done years ago, it would never have looked the way it is today. Although of course we know that it's just computer generated. But it was done clean. You would think the robots were real.

Plot-wise, I'm no professional writer but it was easy to follow, even after I left my seat to take a piss. Hehehe. It's not like I missed half of the movie when I peed. This was what sucks about the movie theater we went to. There was no bathroom. I have to get out and pee in the mall restroom.

There was something for everybody in the film.

For the straight guys, there were cars, violence, and of course, who would not notice Megan Fox. Especially in the first scene when she first appears, what straight guy would not notice her in the way she was posed on the bike? If looked around during that scene, I might have caught guys open-mouthed. Hehehe.

There were some eye-candy for the women and gay guys, as well. I'm not that into Shia LaBeouf, but I have two words for you, Josh Duhamel. He can save my world anytime, if you know what I mean? Hahaha!

Aside from the drama, there was some comic relief. There were moments that we laughed out loud, especially because of one of the suppporting characters. I don't actually remember his name in the movie, but he's supposed to be Shia's roommate.

I also can't forget the visual of Devastator's balls. That was funny. Devastator who, you say? It's the robot that was formed after the Constructicons merged into one big sucking machine. You know, the one that tried to suck the desert in.

Overall, the visuals is top notch. Well, big budgets can do that. I was entertained. I am sure those who are really familiar with the Transformers from way back in the day would really appreaciate the film. It brings back memories.

If you want to be entertained? Watch it!

After this, I am looking forward to another trip down memory lane when the movie G.I. Joe comes out.

Another year has passed and I a year closer to that dreaded three-o. Hehehe. The timer has been reset to countdown for the next year. So what's next?

Maybe I was just tired yesterday. Not the "partying non-stop" tired, but the "it's my birthday but I still have to work" tired. So I was not really feeling it. You know what I mean? It has been that way for every birthday now. I don't know why? Maybe I just don't have the thing that or perhaps the someone who will make me extremely happy yet.

I just wish that when a person has a birthday, the universe, God, or whatever higher power one belives in, grants something which the celebrant really needs. Even those he (or she) doesn't know he needs. Don't you wish that too? Hehehe.

Anyway, aside from a frustrating incident early yesterday morning, it was nice in the office. There was the obligatory greeting (and some out-of-tune singing). My uncle even treated the whole office to burgers as a gift. For that I am grateful.

So what's next? What's in store for me this year? I have no idea. All I can do is guess. I just hope it'll good. :)

Ever since I was eligible to vote, I have never voted. I have missed three elections already. I made a promise last May 14, 2007 that I won't miss another one. Finally I am registered to vote. (Photo source)

The registration experience was excruciating. The "Baranggay Hall" near our house, where I registered, is very unprepared. There were no official announcements that registration is ging to be held. I had to hear it from someone who accidentally went by the hall. There were no clear procedures to follow. There was no structure. A simple act of registering had become a very tedious chore. I felt sorry for those who are pregnant or who had their children with them. At this very moment while I am writing this post, I am very sure that there are still people waiting in line to register. And It's already 8:21 pm. I hope someone from the Comelec will take notice and make sure this never happens again.

At least I won't be indifferent any longer. I was one of those who didn't give a damn about politics because nothing has changed. Look at our country now. On the outside we look progressive. But under the surface, there is corruption. People just look the other way. That's the status quo.

Will there be changes in the coming months for a country who celebrates its Independance Day today? I don't know. I hope so. It better!

It has been a while since I last posted news tidbits. I looked in my own post archive, the the last one I posted was in October 2008. I know you have noticed that my posts nowadays are far in between. I can't help it. Sometimes, I'm just not in the mood. Sometimes, there's a lot of work to do. Sometimes, nothing of interest happens.

Well here goes the post. But first, a disclaimer. The following are links to different articles that are of interest to me. Although some may not be the most recent, I am still sharing them with you.

GAY RELATED:

• A gay Filipino man, Philip Belarmino, has been granted asylum in the United States based on his application that he was persecuted in the Philippines for being gay.

This story was reported on at least one major network in the Philippines. But I didn't hear the details. I only read about it on the net early yesterday.

If I were asked about how gay people are treated here, what I would say is this. Although the Philippines is a gay-friendly country. It is still a stigma to be one. Most Filipinos' perceptions of homosexuals are still archaic. In my opinion, those perceptions are rooted in religious views.

• What started out to be a stunt turned serious for high school senior Sergio Garcia. He is now Fairfax High School's "Prom Queen".

"I will be wearing a suit," Garcia said, "but don't be fooled, deep down inside, I am a queen!"

• Murder of homosexuals by Iraqi Militias still continues. It's not only those who are gay who are killed. It's also those who are perceived to be gay. How f'd up is that? So far, nothing has been done to stop this.

I don't know, maybe I'm just tired and I needed some more sleep. But I was really clumsy today.

I went to a mall somewhere in Quezon City (guess which one, hehehe) to look for a casing for my old Palm Tungsten E2. The flap is really worn and needs a new one. It's really hard to find accessories for Palm here nowadays. Maybe because it's not really popular here.

Anyway, after my unsuccessful Palm accessory hunting, I went to have a sandwich at the newly opened Subway in the mall (that's a clue, hehehe). I was already halfway through my sandwich when the diet soda I was drinking slipped my hand and spilled all over my shorts. It looked like I peed myself. It was embarassing. What else can I do? I can't just hide in the store and wait for it to dry? That will take forever. At a time like this, we just do what we have to do. I don't want to walk around the mall looking like I had lost bladder control, hehehe. So I went to a nearby clothing store to buy at least something dry. I didn't have a lot of money with me. Good thing, my credit card's not maxed out.

In case the sales people from there gets to read this blog (very unlikely, :)). I would like to thank them. They were so very helpful. That's what I call customer service.

Okay, finally I have time to do this. After my return from my trip out of town a weeks ago, there was just no time to do some posting. The work I left behind has to be done and I brought back some more work from the trip. OMG, this just never ends. Hehehe. Comes with the new responsibilities I guess. But I do have to make a living, don't I?

And I owe you guys a post about Samar, which I don't have time for now actually. I am doing this post to check in with you guys. It's better than not having one at all, right?

Well, I can still use this post to say Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. I just greeted my mom this morning right after I woke up. :). Have you greeted yours?

As I have expected, the post about Samar will be postoned. I am here at home preparing for my trip out of town. I'll be gone for a week. It's not for pleasure, but for work. So don't get any ideas of asking for "pasalubong". Hehehe. If you're Filipino, you know what I'm talking about.

I already have all the pics. Thanks Mary Anne for the pics. :). All I have to do is make the post.

I already have some of the pictures. Once I get them all, I will start making the post. But I'll be making it in parts though. I don't really have a lot of time to do it. At least when done in parts, I'll finish making the post eventually. Hehehe.

And BTW, I'll be out of town next week. Not for pleasure, but for work. There's a possibility that I might not finish making the entire post about Samar. I'll do everything I can to finish it this week. If I don't, you'll know the reason why. :)

Hey guys! I'm back from my vacation in my mom's hometown, Samar. It was a blast.

I still don't have a copy of the pictures during my vacation. But once I get a hold of them, I'll make a post and share it with you.

In the meantime, back to work.

Having more responsibilities at work is stressful. To unwind, I am going on vacation. I'll be gone for 4 days. Tomorrow morning's my flight. Hope everything goes smoothly.

I am going with my friends to my mom's hometown in Samar. It's going to be fun. We'll be going to places even I have never been to. Hehehe. When I come back, I'll share the experience with you guys. In the meantime, have a happy Easter! :)

I don't really have much to say right now. But I just wanted to greet everyone in the world a Happy Chinese New Year!!! Or if you prefer, Kung Hei Fat Choi!!! I wish everyone a happy and prosperous year despite all the shit that happens in our lives. (Photo Source)