May. 11, 2008
I’m not sure how popular or well-known Beerkada is among the non-UP crowd, but right now I consider the slice-of-University-life comic (that has now graduated into slice-of-adult-life stories) probably the second best local comic strip. First place being of course the seminal Pugad Baboy, which has been running what, almost twenty years now?
I digress. If you’ve read Beerkada, it’s far from perfect. It’s often corny, and sometimes he has too many of his own in-jokes. In the early strips, the author Lyndon Gregorio often blatantly rips jokes from other sources. I’m not surprised it hasn’t received as much mainstream attention as Pugad Baboy has.
The strip has its’ moments however, and the cast will often remind you of real-world people (with their idiosyncracies exaggerated of course). Personally, I prefer those strips where the author parodies common pop-culture references, and the sheer inaneness of such parodies is where Beerkada trumps Pugad Baboy.
I recently found out Beerkada had its’ own website at beerkada.net. In an attempt to attract a more global audience, the author actually translates those strips that have Tagalog content into English. Aside from the current (daily) strips, he seems to be posting the older strips online as well, albeit the archives still currently have a huge gap between 1998 and 2006. Still, it’s awesome that Gregorio recognizes the power of the internet to publicize his work and willingly distributes his strips online. Hopefully, Pol Medina of Pugad Baboy fame would follow suit.
Not being a regular reader of the Philippine Star, and the last Beerkada book I read having been 3-4 years old already, I went through the archives to catch up. Some choice strips so far:
Not surprisingly, most of the strips I linked were related to 80’s cartoon characters in some way. I guess one of the reasons I enjoy Beerkada is that Lyndon Gregorio and I are obviously of the same generation.
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines, Pop Culture | No Comments
Feb. 26, 2008
Random thought while watching the news:
If Cory Aquino ever went out in public without wearing bright yellow clothes, would people recognize her?
“That lady looks a lot like Cory! Except she’s not wearing yellow!”
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines | No Comments
Jan. 21, 2008
Traveling by land sucks compared to traveling by plane. So for our weekend trip to Albay to visit our new sister-in-law’s family, I booked 3 two-way Cebu Pacific tickets for my brothers and myself. Our parents would take the bus since it was slightly cheaper and they didn’t mind sleeping on the road. The other reason was that my two brothers had never ridden a plane before - this would be their first time. First domestic flight for me as well. As expected, they were excited like giddy shoolboys, taking pictures on the way up the plane and leaning towards the window and all that.
I suppose it was to be expected, but the airport in Legazpi was a far cry from the Manila one. Practically a strip of road labeled as the runway and a small building labeled a terminal. The flight itself was fine but obviously budget. I have been spoiled by PAL. And of course the view of Legazpi City was a lot more green than Metro Manila.
Of course, there was Mayon, visible as soon as we descended from the clouds. Unfortunately the peak stayed hidden from us for the entire weekend, maybe another time. Still, Sunday morning we climbed Lignon Hill, which is a lot smaller than Mayon. We were hoping that by the time we finish the 30-minute walk to the top the peak would show itself. No such luck.
The walk upwards was…invigorating in a way. I have a newfound respect for slopes. The road we were walking on our way to the peak can’t have been more than 30 degrees at its most difficult, yet my leg muscles felt dead tired before we were halfway up. Just shows how out of shape I was. The trip down was much faster of course.
The rest of the stay was mostly eating and shopping for pasalubong. Of course, I suck at buying gifts for people so I’m glad I had a DS while everyone else was walking around the informal tiangge.
Our parents dropped us off at the airport in time for the return flight. We checked in and sat down to wait. The rain outside started getting worse, and eventually there was a message that our flight is canceled. Boo! After asking around, I was told I’d get a full refund for the round trip flight. (So we got to fly to Albay for free) I called up my parents and asked them to get us bus tickets.
As I mentioned at the start, traveling by land sucks. It’s hard to sleep, and I’m prone to motion-sickness on extended bus trips. Still, we made it back to Manila alive and well. I had a bit of a headache and some of the aforementioned nausea and hardly any sleep, as I expected…
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines | No Comments
Jan. 1, 2008
It surprises me sometimes. Living in a country such as this, where many people complain of extreme poverty, harsh economic conditions and the like, one can only wonder how we can celebrate the New Year so extravagantly.
These were the thoughts running through my mind as I watched the fireworks display by our neighbors in the subdivision. It’s not like these guys are rich, they’re middle class folk like me who probably balk at the cost of food or furniture or appliances but are now burning away thousands of pesos worth of fireworks, all for a single midnight of revelry. It’s completely irrational yet understandably so. A typical Pinoy mentality, “minsan lang naman, sa bagong taon lang.”
Our household has been light on fireworks for a long time. I think I was still in elementary school the last time we had any sort of pyrotechnics, we were always content to feast our eyes and ears on the neighborhood displays. What my father did one year, as midnight was approaching he brought out a tape recorder and made a recording of the New Year noise. On succeeding years we would bring out a large cassette player and play that tape a full volume, our own thrifty contribution to the din of welcoming the New Year.
The following are some superstitions we observe as the New Year chimes in:
- Carrying coins in your pocket to ensure enough cash for the coming year
- Throwing said coins through the doorway to ensure good fortune coming into the house
- Having a basket of ten fruits (must be round, no bananas)
- Jumping up and down at the stroke of midnight to grow taller during the year. (Not that we do this anymore, since we’re all quite tall now)
- Wearing red or polka dots (or both) clothes. No matter how old mind you. I don’t think I’ve had a new red shirt in years.
Hm, not as many as I thought. 
Happy New Year!
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines | 2 Comments
Nov. 30, 2007
I don’t particularly care one way or another whether Gloria falls out of power or not. I suspect a lot of people don’t. And a lot of people probably don’t give a hoot about Trillianes either. I am however of the opinion that he is an idiot.
What exactly did he hope to accomplish yesterday anyway? The only difference between now and Oakwood a few years ago is that since then he’s gotten the pity vote to actually be able to call himself a senator.
I suppose he thought he could be some sort of spark that could start some sort of neo-Edsa or whatnot. But he’s not good enough for that. I like to think the Filipino people have gotten better at judging the BS coming from the mouth of politicians. Trillianes statements yesterday, full of arrogance and naked ambition, would not have sit well with many, no matter how simple-minded they think we are.
A Manila Penn guard interviewed on TV today summed it all up: “Naapektuhan lang ni Trillianes trabaho namin. Ang dami nyang hotel na nadaanan, bakit dito pa sya pumunta?” That’s my general sentiment: “You’re being troublesome. Go somewhere else.”
Bonus:
There was a media segment during the live coverage where a reporter was describing the actions of the soldiers as they prepared to invade the hotel. He was telling everyone on live TV how the soldiers were hiding near the entrance of the hotel. Way to blow the operation details. What, are they thinking no one inside the hotel can watch television?
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Issues, Philippines | 1 Comment
Oct. 21, 2007
I was in Galleria earlier today and suddenly the power went out for a few seconds. It came back up almost immediately, but of course everyone was a bit spooked given the recent bombings at Glorietta 2.
Even I felt a bit shaken up I might add, even considering cutting short the tournament (I wasn’t doing well) I hate that. Being overcome by fear, even for a very short instant. Hopefully, the authories would be able to find whoever was responsible for the recent bombings to make the rest of us feel safer.
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines | 2 Comments
Jul. 29, 2007
A friend of mine, let’s call her “C”, was waiting for a taxi near her home. There were several other people there waiting for taxis but she had been there first. She finally managed to hail a cab and had already gotten in the back seat when an MMDA traffic guy [1] stopped her and told her that he had hailed that taxi for two women nearby that he pointed to. C said she was the one who had hailed the taxi, but the traffic guy politely but firmly insisted that she get out of the car. Indignant, C took note of the traffic guy’s name plate and went on her way.
As soon as she got to the office, C composed a letter of complaint to the MMDA director and faxed it to their office as soon as she was able. Having coursed her complaint through several different offices, it was promptly handled and a hearing with the traffic guy was scheduled during the next week.
C and I talked about it several times during the week before her hearing. She had asked me before sending the complaint whether it was a good idea or not, or if she should just let the incident go. I said no, she should proceed with her complaint. The traffic guy was clearly in the wrong, and she at least deserved an explanation regarding whether or not MMDA traffic guys are allowed to hassle people who are getting into taxis. Some people were worried that the traffic guy might be vindictive and might try to get back at her in some way. C is a pretty strong and brave woman though, and she wouldn’t back down even if that was a likely possibility. What did concern her was whether her complaint might cause someone to lose their job. I told her not to worry, at worst he’ll be asked to apologize and explain, and that will be that.
The day of the hearing arrived, I wanted to go with her to the MMDA office since I was curious how things would proceed, but I had a meeting an hour or so afterwards and I didn’t want to risk being late, and besides she already had her boyfriend with her for support. I’m told that the traffic guy made some lame excuse that there was some sort of emergency and that’s why the two women needed the taxi. But he apologized to C anyway and promised to be more circumspect in the future. C got a written apology and came away satisfied, having fought city hall and won, sort of.
She asked me if I think she wasted her time. I told her that what she did was a good thing; every so often someone has to complain against people who may or may not be abusing their position, if only to keep such people honest. And she got to witness firsthand how the government handles things, if ever she gets into a more serious situation with the government later on, she has this experience to draw upon.
My take? I’m guessing the two women were friends/acquaintances of the traffic guy and they were impatient to get a cab. In true macho Filipino fashion, traffic guy offers to help them out. And that would have been fine, really. That is, until he started harassing another commuter to get it done.
I’m glad I wasn’t there at the hearing though. If I had heard that lame excuse I might have done my best Phoenix Wright impression and shout “Objection!”
[1] I’m not sure whether they’re called “officers” or not.
Posted by Roy in Daily Life, Philippines | No Comments
May. 14, 2007
1. Ban the distribution of sample ballots and election paraphernalia on election day within the vicinity of voting precincts. Seriously, check out the amount of trash generated on election day near the precinct:
And I noted that the current level of trash is already an improvement from last year!
In Quezon City at least, the local government seems to have been able to keep people from plastering campaign posters all over the place (relatively), so banning campaign materials on election day should not be too much of a stretch.
2. Disallow the usage of candidates’ nicknames for voting. If you are any kind of serious voter, you should at least bother to know your candidates’ full names!
I realize the above two “reforms” would at first glance make it difficult for voters when casting their ballots but that’s actually part of the point. I’m not sure that voting is supposed to be easy. The duty of each citizen is not only to vote, but to vote wisely and according to what he belives will be right for the country. You’re not supposed to rely on sample ballots or name recognition.
Sample ballots and nickname voting are crutches created to herd sheep into voting for people by name alone. Without these crutches, I’m hoping at least a few more people will be forced to think about the choices they make during election time. And that those who are too lazy to think get so put off by the needed effort that they don’t bother to vote. It’s our responsibility to vote, but if you’re not going to take it seriously, don’t bother!
Posted by Roy in Philippines | No Comments
May. 12, 2007
I still don’t know how I am voting on Monday.
Or even if I am voting at all.
I’m thinking of voting for those 3 guys from Kapatiran, simply to reward the sheer chutzpah of their candidacies.
The GO and TU coalitions seem largely irrelevant to me, you can be fairly sure those coalitions won’t mean squat after the elections, so
all these surveys keeping score of administration vs opposition seem a bit useless. I’m no lover of the GMA administration, but the
opposition’s offerings don’t leave a very good taste in the mouth either. I’d much rather bring in new blood, non-politicians like the
Kapatiran guys.
Or maybe I should just go with the recent ads that have appeared exhorting people to boycott the senatorial slots altogether?
This election seems so… bleah.
Although I should note, I think AGHAM party list is a good idea.
At least the mayoral elections in Quezon City are a no-brainer.
Posted by Roy in Philippines | No Comments
May. 1, 2007
So, I was there in the taxi with my youngest brother Brian. And I brought up the topic of the noontime TV show Wowowee, which we had just seen about half an hour of before we got in the taxi.
I told him that I thought of it as a really terrible show. Sure, poor people win relatively-large cash prizes and stuff from it, but it feels so exploitative. Hundreds, maybe thousands of poor folk from god-knows-how-far-away queue up outside the studios every day hoping to get into the studio audience to participate in the cash giveaways. There are probably people that see all these “lucky” scrubs earning free cash on TV, so that instead of spending their time looking for work or ways to earn a decent, continuous income, they stand around the ABS-CBN studios day in and day out hoping to get lucky. And hope they don’t get caught in a stampede of course.
And I wish someone would do a survey on how well the “winners” of these noontime shows (yeah, we also caught a bit of Eat Bulaga!) fare a few months after their windfall of cash. Methinks that giving out cash to poor families, while certainly good intent, is nowhere near enough to guarantee that they rise above their station. “Teach a man to fish…”. Alongside their exploitative nature and promotion of cheap barbs and slapsticks, I doubt whether such shows actually have a net positive effect on society.
Now Brian, as it were, has never been the most opinionated of my brothers. In fact, he’s more of the laid-back type, seemingly not caring about what’s going on in the world at large, so I was a bit surprised when we got into a discussion on the cheap lows that Philippine media has sunk to. Apparently he had caught a TV interview of “Mr. Shoo-Li” Jun Urbano that he really liked, where the old comedian compared the Philippines of yesterdays to our current dire straits. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of our discussion, and I said to myself: “No matter how bad things get in our country, as long a we have kids that are able to think about things like this, we’ll always have hope.”
In short (and this may be obvious anyway), noontime shows are really bad and shockingly exploitative. Seriously, anyone who looks at these noontime shows with at least 1% of a critical eye would agree.