Facebook... here I come!

So I am now having fun with Facebook. It gives me the chance to do and own stuff that I can't in real life: having dogs as pets (Pokey and Pet Pupz), a colorful garden with plants that have lovely and cute faces (Green Patch), an empire of business establishments (Be a Tycoon), five cars that earn money while parked on a street (Parking Wars), buying people to own them (Owned), playing and winning in Bingo without spending a single peso (Bingo), having bugs that compete with other bugs, eventually making you an Olympian bug (Bug Olympics), being an X-Men like character (My Heroes Ability), designing several rooms in your house... (as you please) in My Room, tossing bottles at friends and breaking them - again without costing a single cent (99 Bottles of Beer), sending and receiving Good Karma (Send Good Karma), and making yourself an evil monster with an army behind - choose how you want to fight: Vampire, Slayer, Werewolf, Zombie (My Slayers). All these and more.

I guess the best thing about FaceBook is the fact that you get to interact with long time old friends that you don't get to see or talk to anymore. I must admit I am getting addicted to FaceBook, probably because with my first job that I spent almost four years in, I was confined to the four walls of the contact center, and having no social life at all, with my long lost friends. With FaceBook I got to realize the fun things about not working in a call center anymore. (Well I guess it is different if you have all your friends with you in the graveyard shift... but this is not the case with me.) No blocked sites, no browsing restrictions. (What the heck of me to say this when I am working from home anyway... lol)

** Thanks to Joey Capco and Mark Dionson for introducing and inviting me over to FaceBook.

Badong... why do I miss thee?

I miss Badong. Yesterday, Hubby and I had lunch at Tempura Mall of Asia and beside us is family of four: the father and mother probably in their 40's and their two sons, maybe 15+ of age. I could not help myself from "overhearing" their conversations, as I was touched with the way they were treating each other. They were just like friends, of the same age, telling foolish and funny stories to each other. (By the way, I think the brothers are twins but couldn't take a closer look - they might notice me.) The father was making fun of his sons for courting not-so-pretty girls, whom he described as "..malayo sa itsura ng mommy niyo nung high school kami. May bangs pa nga siya at ang puti-puti niya..." All of them laughed upon hearing this, and then the teasing started again. They were also making fun of their food (sashimi, caterpillar maki, and the seafood ramen - which we ordered too but did not like so much, just like them). Their so-called "family bonding time" went on and on until I didn't notice myself staring blankly out there, and Ed was trying to take me out of my trance. Looks like he was talking about all other things and I wasn't listening. Without apologizing, I told him that I was so happy for the family beside us, and that they were so lucky for having such cool parents. And he asked, "Bakit pano ba sa inyo dati?" And I had to tell him how Badong would get so annoyed whenever we (siblings and mom) were telling stories while at the dinner table. Badong was so annoyed of such habits because he was too concentrated and engrossed on watching TV while eating. Now I also remember how he hated people who sit at his pwesto at at the dining table. It is the perfect pwesto kasi - near the water dispenser, facing the TV - but despite this, he would still let people do things for him, like getting him water which is a foot away from him. Oh I don't miss Badong... I miss what Badong should have been!

The only memory I have of Badong inviting us over for an eat-out was at Shakey's in Baguio. I was very young then (I couldn't even remember how old I was that time) when he was given a service award (not even sure if TI or Moog) and a complimentary lunch/dinner/pizza at Shakey's. Those years were those of, when you ate out or made "kain sa labas" - it only meant either of the two: you are rich and eating out is normal or, you are poor, but try/want to experience eating out because this is like a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We were the latter (maybe, I don't know... because we were brought up so syano) and being "first-timers" in Shakey's - we were all ignorant on what "gourmet pizza" would taste like. Our taste buds were only accustomed to Greenwich... and... hmmm... I don't remember, something like the counterpart of Mr. Mappy's - you know... the pizza that was heated in a kalawanging oven and was sold in a booth somewhere in corner (could be Session Road, Abanao, or the market). So then the pizza was loaded with onions and pepperoni, etc. Moreso, the cheese didn't taste like the common cheese we all ate... So there - we just stared at each other, giggling at the Shakey's pizza. We all didn't like how it tasted, especially how the mozzarella looked so yucky... lol. We then ended up just finished the pitcher of Coca Cola. That was it, and I no longer remember the events that came after that. Oh well... those were the days. We were not rich, we were not modern, we were a "syano" family, but we were happy. We had a lot of jologs days back then, but we stayed in tact. We were together. There were fights, yes - but still, we stuck to each other. All that is gone now. =[ (I hope not).

Tempura Mall of Asia: It was our second time to visit that outlet. Ed wasn't too happy with it the first time we went there: warm temperature, messy surroundings, inaccurate orders, non-attentive staff, poor customer service. The second visit (after two years): still the same, but different. :) Ed now has a new perspective on Tempura - it is now our bread and butter. Oh yes it is! And we also have a 2K SP (go figure what this means) per month, hence, having the chance to "enjoy" their food at least twice a month. In fairness to Tempura and to compensate for their poor customer service... I soooo loooove their MAKI's! Especially Uncle Sam's Maki - which Ed loved too. We also love their Gyoza (the pork one... not the Tempura version). Guys - you gotta "fix" your seafood ramen though, and your sherbet... :P

Hancock, I'd say, is one unique hero/heroine story (I hope I am right in saying this). Other than that, I think the action scenes are somewhat common, the punchlines are somewhat funny, and the movie is a must-see for couples who need a break from the usual malling hobby - window-shopping, eating, strolling.. (especially when you're at MoA). I would have wanted to watch KungFu Panda too but it was scheduled at 9PM, too late for a Sunday.

Pizza Hut Bistro's Garlic and Mushroom was too salty. The Seafood Super Supreme was one-of-a-kind and tasty but not so "sea-foody" as you could only count how many slices or bits of seafood there was. Thumbs-Up to the Caribbean smoothie though. Customer Service was crazy! It took too long for every single request to be granted.

Sale @ MNG! Clothes were going at 50-70% off. (Damn I should really lose weight soon.) I was lucky to get two decent items for my SIL and my cousin Danise.

M for Mariah: I bought this perfume for MIL who was, via my hubby, kind of telling me that she wanted what I was wearing that day (Remember... Cavite Calvary) and that if I would be so kind to give her the miniature scents that I get whenever I buy fragrances. So there you go, PhP 2475 worth of birthday gift for you mamang dear.

Samsonite Mobile Phone case for the hubby: I was shocked to see it was on sale for only PhP450+ as it usually went at around more than PhP1k! (I know... he didn't need it so much, but just like when you take your kid to shopping, you have to buy him at least something!) And yes, I got another "something" for him which was the...

RubberMaid 12" food thongs. He loves using such when frying something so even if I didn't see the urgent need for it, out went PhP 349. lol.

Parker Slinger Pen for the BIL - who, I think, is his favorite, and the MIL's favorite too (but of course they both wouldn't admit). I think it is sosy, and very functional. Wanted to get one but it wouldn't be of any use to me since I am just seated in my "cube" the entire time.

FILA backpack for Jpeg's birthday - hmmm... so so... no choice. I just hope he'd like it, and more so, USE it!

For next shopping: Maidenform transparent straps, Groceries, Nivea deo, pH Care, Suave Moose, MNG (sana), Samsung Care Centre, FoC (sana), christmas gifts (early I know).

Why Badong Loves Them...

I have promised in my last post that I will be writing down reasons why Badong loves the "OTHER" family more than the "LEGAL" family. Well, here it is. Go figure! (I am not saying that I am right, whatever I say here is composed of what I feel, what I see, and what others are telling me. I am not even going to be a hypocrite and make myself look like the "good one.") I'm also injecting a lot of logic into it, matalino kasi ako! (Hindi katulad ng iba diya, "maganda nga pero mahina naman ang utak." Forever Health Care I ka na yata 'day!)

1. According to a reliable source, Badong said that his biological kids are so "pangit." Buti pa daw yung anak ni Cheri kasi magaganda. Sabi ni Badong, pano... pangit daw kasi si Orig.
- Ha?! Pangit pala eh... bakit mo siya pinakasalan? Pangit taste mo? Kung pangit taste mo, eh di pangit din si Cheri? [Tignan mo nga mukha mo!] - Shyet nakakahiya, kamukha pa man din (daw) kita.
- The physical traits of your offspring are the result of the DNA mix between you (Badong) and Orig. Therefore, may kapangitan ka din sa balat mo. (Lalo na ugali at budhi mo, pangit na, marumi pa).
- Ano ba ang definition mo ng pangit? Sa itsura lang ba? Eh pano yung mga ginagawa ng mga anak ni Cheri... pangit ba o maganda?

2. Hindi daw kasi malambing ang mga biological kids niya.
- Oh well, yes I must admit - hindi talaga ako malambing... EVER! Eh pano, ang jologs mo kasi (Badong). Hindi paglalambing para sa akin yung pagtanggal ng mabaho mong medyas. (Ewww...) Hindi paglalambing para sa akin yung pagpapaalila sa yo tuwing may sakit ka. (OK lang sana alagaan ka kung hindi ka naninigaw) At hindi paglalambing ang tawag sa paghingi-hingi sa yo ng kung anu-ano... parasitism yun! Hindi ko kailangan maglambing sa yo or sa kahit kanino para makuha ko ang gusto ko. What I need to do to get what I want/need is to WORK for it.

3. Hindi daw malambing ang asawa niya.
- OKay, I rest my case on this... Just a quick question: You knew from the start that the woman you married is not malambing - why did you still marry her?! Why complain only after 25 years?! Delayed reflexes? Delayed reaction?

4. Maasikaso daw at magaling sa bahay si Cheri.
- Eh bakit naman hindi?! Eh wala namang disenteng trabaho yan! Alangan naman na magbasa siya ng libro pag magkasama kayo? Haller! Dapat lang pagsilbihan ka niya (in whatever way-gross or not gross) kasi para masulit naman yung ginagastos mo sa kanya!

5. Making love or... yes... SEX as one of the main reasons.
- Is SEX always the basis of love? Do people marry just because of sex? When you look at a woman - do you see the word SEX on her forehead? Don't you understand that your wife has an illness and is therefore incapable, and as a husband, you had to stand by her side, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, TILL DEATH DO YOU PART? If your answer is YES - then dapat nga magsama kayo ni Cheri.

6. He found all things nice and beautiful with the other family.
- Your fault! Your fault Badong! You were supposed to guide your family. You were supposed to be (primarily) both a FATHER and a HUSBAND! What were you instead? You were a sabungero, a businessman, a good brother to your siblings, a good samaritan to everyone else, a very good person to EVERYBODY, except your FAMILY!

You treated your family like business: When your wife/kids asked for money, you would reply back saying "Asan yung resibo?" You would tell your family that a business needs to be properly audited by providing receipts. Do you do that to Cherry and her kids?

You were never thoughtful. You were never "nice and beautiful" to your own ORIGINAL family: Do you ever recall a time when you gave birthday- and christmas- gifts to anyone? Do you ever recall a time when you volunteered to teach your daughter how to drive? You would say "Hindi pwede mag drive ang babae kasi nerbyosa ang babae!" Then why are Cheribitch and your bitchy "daughters" sitting on the driver's seat of your FORD EVEREST?!

You never see the good in your family. Proud ka lang sabihin sa friends mo na "matalino" anak mo, pero hanggang dun lang yun kasi nagiging sikat ka. (sorry kung mali ako, pero yun talaga nakikita ko eh)

You always take your family for granted. Do you ever recall a time when you consulted the members of your family on a decision that has to be made? Did you ever ask them if they needed anything, rather than wait for them to tell you? Did you ever give things voluntarily?

I am now starting to dread myself for being so negative. I dread myself for being judgemental and for letting bad things come out into the open. But I can't help myself. I am just a normal person - when I feel bad, I have to let it out. When I am angry - I have to be. No pretentions. No disguises. Nothing to hide! This is me. This is my battle and I am so very UP for it. So Badong and Cheri - watch out! This is only the beginning of your misery.

Jun-jun, Arlene, Vic P

Let me see how this works, as I am not good at all with regards to writing in Tagalog.

Meron tayong mga bagong characters - Jun-jun, Arlene, Vic P.

Katulad ng mga nakaraang kwento, meron at merong bagong character na hindi natin malalaman kung ano talaga ang role. Sa kwentong ito, ang kawawang nilalang ay si Junjun. Sinabi daw ni Badong kay Ely na pati si Junjun ay ginugulo na din ni Skypee. Ma?! Si Arlene ang kapatid ni Cheri, na kinakasama naman ni Vic P. Dati, super sisters si Cheri at si Arlene, kasi actually, pareho sila ng katayuan sa buhay - mga mistress. Anyway... (let's spare Arlene kasi wala naman siyang kasalanan talaga kay Skypee) Ang dating magkasundong magkapatid na Cheri at Arlene ay nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaintindihan (sa kadahilanang hindi natin alam) pero konting chika lang naman... sabi eh, hindi na daw kasi kailangan ang Super Sister Arlene kaya galit-galit na sila. Sinabi din kasi ni Badong na si Vic at si Arlene ay nangungutang ng malaking halaga sa kanya, at hindi niya ito napagbigyan... kaya away-away sila ngayon.

Sa lahat-lahat ng nangyari mula nung nagsimula ang kalokohan ni Skypee... Si Vic P at si Arlene ang napagbibintangan. Bina-blackmail daw nila si Badong. (Eh ano kayang napaka importanteng bagay na yun para iblack mail siya?) Go figure!

Si Badong ay umuwi sa 2600 para magbunganga na naman, maghanap ng kakampi, at gumawa ng ibang headline para merong diversion. Tactic ito na kung saan siya ay isang expert (plus ang pagsisinungaling syempre.) Unfortunately parang sa pulitika, kapag may diversionary tactic, merong biktima - si Skypee. Pero hindi na rin masasabing biktima si Skypee, in fact, she has a winning streak right now. Biktima lang siya ng pagbubunganga pero ang totoo... nagwawagi na siya. Palaging sinasabi ni Badong na si Skypee daw ay hindi na nahiya sa mga pinaggagagawa niya. Pero... (palakpak) sinabi naman ni Badong na napakatalinong bata daw ni Skypee (ehem) para malaman niyang lahat-lahat ang impormasyon tungkol sa mga lihim ni Badong. Pano daw ba nalalaman ni Skypee ang mga detalye? Ma?!

So far sa detective work na nagawa ni Skypee... ito na ang summary:
1. Badong = Joe = Joseph = Benjamin
2. Junjun =? Naku aalamin pa lang niya kung sino ito
3. Si Cheri ay asawa ni Badong. (Go back to Item 1)
4. Si Badong ay sabungero (Go back to Item 1)
5. Pinag-aawayan ni Badong at Cheri ngayon ang mga panggugulo na ginagawa ni Skypee
6. Nalaman na ni Badong na si Cheri ay may account sa Friendster... at...! Pinangangalandakan niya na bahagi siya ng B _ _ _ L Marketing, at isa siyang Businesswoman. Naks! (The nerve)
7. Totoong pinapasakay ni Badong sa kanyang Ford Everest ang kanyang mga anak-anakan na sina Honeylette at Hazel (pero idedemanda daw niya kung sino man ang nagpost ng pictures na ito - naku... lagot ang mga anak-anakan). Naniniwala si Badong na hindi ang mga anak-anakan niya ang may gawa nung mga Friendster accounts. Haller!!! Eh di sino??? Si CASPER?!
8. Mas mahal ni Badong ang mga anak-anakan niya kesa sa mga tunay niyang anak. (Natatandaan ko ang mga kwentong magpapatunay nito - abangan sa susunod na blog)
9. Si Cheri ay may sakit sa kidney (Cancer kaya?)
10. Namatayan ng lolo ang mga anak-anakan (Condolence, sincerely)
11. Umalis na sila sa Amado (aalamin pa lang kung saan na sila ngayon)
12. Gigil na gigil sa galit si Badong kay Skypee, in fact, inaalam niya kung ano ang landline nito pero ayaw ibigay ni Ely. (Eh bakit kasi hindi mo tawagan sa cellphone?!)
13. Tuliro si Badong sa ngayon! Hindi na niya alam kung sino talaga ang kalaban niya.

Antok na ako... baka bukas may bago ulit kwento. :)

Korek Ka Jan!

Hohoho. So... I got the equation right! Badong = Joseph = Joe = Benjamin.

Story courtesy of GheeEm.
Badong was home today at 2600. I was expecting him to be hysterical because he was shamed by the Skype caller, he was... "buking." Now the silence of the people around him made him paranoid. He didn't know what to think, he didn't know who to yell at, he was clueless, and very very nervous. His stories were twisted - each sentence contradicting the other. Who cares? Nobody believed in him anymore. He was looking for people to get to his side. Poor Badong, he even talked to poor ol' granny. I wonder what they talked about? He wasn't satisfied, he started blabbing and swearing at the caller. (I can imagine him naming the caller names, saying how disgusting the caller is, and how embarassed he is by the attitude of the caller. I can imagine him going back to the past, saying how his "goodness" and "generosity" were never reciprocated by the caller. I can hear him describing how ungrateful this caller was despite of his being a good "father.") Oh well... well.. well... the caller has had too much of that, since childhood actually. The damage of neglect has been done since then.

So Badong came home with the same story: that Cheri is the wife of Badong, that Cheri fought with Badong because of the Skype Caller, that Joe told the story to him, that he was at the "sabungan" when all this happened. That what the caller did was hideous and shameful. All that story going round and round, and nothing more.

When no one was listening anymore (aside from poor ol' granny), he had to call the attention of the first-born son, probably to see where he sided. [[Now I don't have details on this yet.]] Only thing I learned is that the first-born son showed Badong the Friendster accounts of Cheri the great. Now here is the catch... If BJ is not Badong, then how could BJ have known that Cheri does not know how to use the computer? How could he have been so sure that the Friendster account was opened by someone else? Is he that intimate with Cheri to know what Cheri does or does not know?

As a friend of Badong, why did this have to be such a big deal? If it was just a prank call, why is he so mad? Go figure!

** I would like to thank the efforts of EAL, MBAL, and GMOL for keeping up with me this time. I salute you!

ALL PARENTS DAMAGE

"ALL PARENTS DAMAGE their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair." - Mitch Albom, the five people you meet in heaven