Thursday, July 17, 2008
Snoring
My friends know that I have a loud snore. Most of them discovered it during our countless sleep-overs. I'm not particularly ashamed about it. I just find it weird whenever my roommate has to turn my head the other way so that I would stop snoring, albeit for a while. It's even weirder whenever I momentarily wake up seeing him turning my head.
Sorry Jamie. =)
@ 
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Unfulfilled
Since yesterday morning, I have been having this general sense of unfulfillment. Actually, the word "unfulfilled" and its derivatives doesn't exist in the English language. The "dissatisfaction" and "discontentment" are more acceptable. It was just a means for me to contrast it with my overarching desire for fulfillment. Anyhow, I've been lost for an explanation on why this sudden gloom has befallen upon me. It render me unable to write in my presidential blog and corner (actually, I posted something but apparently, it seemed to got lost). It has kept me from catching up on my readings for my PolSci class. It has kept me from reading the books that I borrowed from the library (leisure reading, of course).
How does one feel fulfilled? Is it just a matter of perspective or should I actively seek something?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Vertigo & PHTwitters
Last night, after my last meeting that ended at 6:00PM, I started feeling dizzy. It was a manageable kind of dizzy. But when I got to the dorm it got worse. I felt like my world is spinning. I'm thinking it's vertigo. If it is vertigo, this would be my third episode since my first one last September.
I just woke up and I'm still feeling a bit dizzy. I think it's vertigo, but I'm also thinking that it isn't. I'm not quite sure and I don't want to strain myself in knowing if it is.
I have found a way of posting updates in Twitter using a cellphone - via PHTwitter. Here are the steps in order to update your Twitter through SMS [via Pinoytwitters.com].
- Follow http://twitter.com/phtwitters.
- To register: Text REG[space][twitterusername][space][twitterpassword]
- To send your tweets: Text TWIT[space][your message]
- To send a direct message: TWITD[space][friendusername][space][message]
Cost: P1.00 for any local Philippine network, free if you’re subscribed to the unlimited texting of Smart and Globe.
SMS Gateways: GLOBE +63.916.4967171 SMART +63.929.3632359
There will be no confirmation messages sent back to you. You need to follow PHtwitters in twitter to be able to get notifications and confirmation/error messages in your twitter account instead.
I know it's scary giving your username and password like this but it actually works. They say it's automated so there's nothing to fear. Plus, IT WORKS.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Task Force Noah for the Victims of Typhoon Frank
&
ADMU Disaster Response and Management (DREAM) Team
TASK FORCE NOAH
for the victims of typhoon Frank
Typhoon FRANK (International Codename: Fengsen) caused vast damages to lives, properties and livelihood of our follow countrymen over the weekend. As of the latest report, the number of casualties has been increasing. Damages were greatly felt in some regions where the actual path of the typhoon crossed. Almost all of the province of Iloilo is submerged in water. People are still stranded on top of the roofs of their houses for two days now in some towns of Iloilo. Other areas of the Visayas are also calling for aid.
General Information (as of June 23, 2008):
- 10,000 families (40,000 individuals) affected of 20 provinces, 10,000 families are in 275 evacuation centers and increasing.
- Under State of
- NDCC: Floods, storm surge and landslides mostly in the Visayas and Southern Tagalog have affected 366,444 people. Of the total number of affected people, 182,686 were in the
- Stranded 5,095 passengers, 288 rolling cargo, 90 trucks, 59 passenger buses, 48 small vehicles, and eight sea vessels.
- Philippine National Red Cross; based on field reports from PNRC staff, the death toll had reached 229, with 101 reported in
- Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas earlier said 59 people drowned in the province while another 40 were missing. “Almost all the towns are covered by water. It’s like an ocean,” Tupas said, adding thousands have been displaced in the province that is home to 1.7 million people.
- Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said he received reports that the
- Almost all of
- Power outage reported in
Donation Mechanisms:
GOODS
You may directly donate your goods: ready-to-eat goods, clothing, water at Room 102 Cervini Residence Hall, Ateneo de Manila University,
Contact Person : Mr. Tim Gabuna
Trunkline : 426-6001 local 5932
Direct line : 426-6119
CASH/CHECK
Direct deposits may be made to:
SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account Name/Payee)
Bank of the Philippine
Peso Checking Account Number : 3081-1111-61
Dollar Savings Account Number : 3084-0420-12
Or channel to:
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
Loyola House of Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
Contact Information:
Landline : 426-6101 loc. 3440/3441
Telefax : 426-5968
Email : www.slb.ph
Look for : Ms. Marj Tejada
For proper acknowledgement:
- Please fax a copy of the validated deposit slip to SLB through telefax 426-5986
- Kindly indicate contact information: Name, address, email, landline/mobile
- Those who wish to be anonymous may skip this procedure
FOR GCASH TRANSACTION:
1. Any Globe or TM subscribers should be registered first in Gcash before doing any Gcash transaction.
2. To register, just text the syntax:
REG_4 digit M-PIN/mother's maiden name/first name/last name/address and send to 2882
Ex: REG 1234/
DONATE_AMOUNT_4 digit M-PIN_INSTITUTION CODE and send to 2882
Ex. DONATE 100 1234 SLB and send to 2882
BRO. ISMAEL JOSE CHAN-GONZAGA, S.J.
Executive Director
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
MR. ADEL BRIONES
Associate Director, CCS
OMI CASTANAR
President
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral
ng Ateneo de Manila
Net Voyeurism
My friends (and almost everyone) likes to text me (or almost everyone, again) "musta?" or "gawa mo?". We (youthful) Filipinos really have this obsession of knowing what the other is doing (or we're just feeling a bit lonely so we find excuse to make contact). I have found the perfect answer to this Filipino obsession - Twitter.
What is it?
Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Developers can use the API to make Twitter tools of their own. Possibilities are endless!
[via Twitter FAQ]
Unfortunately, I was only able to find a handful of people I know who uses Twitter. It would have been nice if I can get to follow (and be followed) by more people. I'm an active net citizen so it can help in my e-governance. But at the end of the day, I'm simply a net voyeur (and exhibitionist).
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's a Burger Day
All of my meals (except breakfast) were composed of burgers.
1. I ate two burgers during the coffee break in Faculty Day.
2. I ate a Whopper Jr. after my research visit to AIM-TeaM Energy Center.
3. A few minutes ago, I got hungry. So, I went to MiniStop to buy a microwavable rice meal - burger steak.
The End.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Munchausen Syndrome
I learned about this illness while watching episode 9 of the 2nd season of House M.D..
Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which those affected fake disease, illness, or psychological trauma in order to draw attention or sympathy to themselves. It is in a class of disorders known as factitious disorders which involve "illnesses" whose symptoms are either self-induced or falsified by the patient. It is also sometimes known as hospital addiction syndrome.
[via Wikipedia]
Simplistically it's translated as papansin.
Recently, I got hooked up with Yahoo! Answers. At first I just posted a question because I got interested at how fast people would respond (I got a response a few minutes after I posted). Then, I decided to look at the recently posted questions of people. I got myself into the Mathematics category of the site. I found some questions fairly easy to answer (mostly trigonometric questions) so I started solving a bit and posting my answer. I got through about four math problems and one questions about making presentations. I really found the idea of answering questions fun. What was even more interesting was the chance of getting my answer to be voted as the best one. As of now, none of my answers have been voted as the best but I did receive a thank you e-mail.
It feels good to draw some virtual attention.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Polarization of the Political
This morning, we watched a BBC documentary for our Globalization and Governance class. The documentary was entitled "Where's our money?" (2001). It narrates the story of a retired couple who decided to invest through pension. The documentary traced where the money of the couple went. Upon inquiry they found out that their fund managers are doing what they're supposed to do - not putting all the eggs in one basket. The couple found out that their investment had gone to an array of ventures - a rising fastfood chain, a new insulin pump, and General Electric.
In addition, the companies that are getting the portfolio investments were located in different countries, thus making the web of events a bit tangled. To make things messier, the investments seem to ethically contradict one another. For example, investment on the fast food chain only exacerbates the obesity and diabetes problem. On the other hand, the couple invests on the pump that tries to treat the collateral damage of the fast food lifestyle.
Clearly, globalization poses several problems (in so far as the financial sector is concerned) such as disempowerment (you have little or no say to where your money goes to) and the growing need for transparency (access to the information on where the money goes to).
That was a mini-problematization of globalization. This afternoon, I joined the meeting of BUSINA in preparation for its caucus on June 28. At one point we were deadlocked at a specific issue. A point was raised regarding the regional delegates that we'll be hosting. As one of us pointed out, issues of national politics are not in the priority of those in the region. Issues like the rice crisis and mining are at the forefront of regional consciousness. Thus, how can a campaign on Truth, Accountability, and Reform that is anchored in the language of the nation-state capture the imagination (and the energies) of those outside the NCR? Is there a way to attack this metropolitan-provincial dichotomy that would not only sound good in paper but also in practice?
In political science we are currently looking at globalization's challenge to the sovereignity of the nation-state. This morning's documentary shows that globalization is more than a buzzword. It's a reality confronting us (some more than others). But my experience this afternoon validated the fact that amidst this new wave of late capitalism (yes, that's how I would think of it), the nation-state will remain resilient. How else could I reconcile the fact that my professor in my globalization class is one of our leaders in this national issue?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Recent Hobbies that Make Me Think
The first semester has already started. I am trying to pursue a new thesis topic. I am trying to enjoy this lighter (in terms of load) semester.
Together with the usual rigor of academics, I am currently enamored by two new hobbies.
I got hooked to House M.D. because of my roommate. Recently, Maja gave me DVDs of the first season. I make it a point that I watch at least two episodes of House everyday. It's good for the mind. I watch an episode while eating breakfast and another before going to bed. It helps me be more reflective (I'd like to think that I'm Dr. Gregory House, MD).
If I still have trouble sleeping after a dose of House, I read something on French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Sir Leland taught us about some of his concepts (field, capital, habitus) for our practicum paper. I find his concepts elegant (and relevant). I have to agree when they say that Bourdieu is "supremely good to think with". Though I am barely scratching the surface, sir Leland assured me that the plunge would be worth it.
Some friends have been teasing that "I don't have a life". I can only flash my shiny smile at this nonsense. I can't expect everyone to understand why I do what I do and why I don't do what they do. I am predisposed to be who I am and the same goes for them. Ergo, no love lost.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Feels Like High School All Over Again
All throughout these summer month, I usually arrive home at around 10:30PM because of the various meetings that we had in the student council. There was even a time when after hours of OJT in Ayala, Makati, I’d go to Ateneo for my three-hour meetings. I would arrive home feeling sticky and tired after a good day’s work. This was my routine for a good part of May.
This reminded me of my high school days. Back then, I’d be leaving school at around 6:00-7:00PM. It’s a long way home from Manila. Most of the time, I had to eat dinner in between my bus and jeepney ride. If I had no money (which is more of a rule than an exception), I’d just spend 14pesos on two tuknenengs. I prefer the balut version than the hard-boiled (penoy).
I also remember that I often had a difficult time getting a jeepney from Baclaran to Sucat. During those times of the night, the jeepneys were only few. I had to compete with a lot of people to get a ride home.
Even if it wasn’t really easy, I have to admit that high school was one of the most memorable years of my life. I surely miss it a lot.
One thing I ask tonight - to have supportive parents.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Nokia 2630 for Sale
I am currently selling my cellphone, Nokia 2630 for 3000 pesos. It's a good phone. I just got it last April. It has a VGA camera, video recorder, and an FM radio. It's very thin with a width of only 9.9mm.
I'm selling this phone because I want a simpler, inexpensive one. I could also use the extra cash.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
My Trajectory in Life
What will be my trajectory after college?
This was the question I was mulling over for some time during practicum class. The thought of life after college distracted me from challenging the Bourdieuvian framework that we’ll be using for our practicum paper.
Sir Leland said a lot of things that made me think of what I should be doing after college. Clearly, I want to get into politics (I’m not joking about it). But as I have often pointed out, unlike my good friend Boyet Dy, I do not have the usual pre-conditions (capital) to pursue this trajectory. Nonetheless, I sense that I am pre-disposed to this trajectory. Am I misrecognizing my own capital or am I just deceiving myself?
After getting a clear grasp of my own capital, I need to figure out my strategy. What will be my entry point? My blockmates were saying that I should marry a celebrity. Unfortunately, I don’t want to tread that path. I want to veer away from conventional roads. If possible, I want to be a trailblazer. Nonetheless, I need to figure out my strategy to getting into politics (or whatever trajectory I want to pursue), and I need to figure this out soon.
0 capital + 0 strategy = 0 trajectory.
More disclosure after further reflection (and consultation).
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Rubik's Cube Philippine Open 2008
Philippine Cubers Association And Toys R Us presents the biggest speedcubing competition in the country!
RUBIK'S CUBE Philippine Open 2008! July 5 & 6, 2008 @ Robinsons Galleria Activity Center, EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City
It's time to flex my fingers once again!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
It's Official, I'm a Genius
Well, not exactly. It’s more of being an inventor. Anyhow, I came up with a simple solution to a pesky problem.
If you’re a 5th year college student who wears a set of pants you bought when you were in 3rd year high school, it’s possible you have this common problem.
I’m currently wearing a size 32 pair of jeans. Clearly, I should be wearing a size 34. But I come from a family that earns a living through a sari-sari store so buying a new pair is not one of my priorities. So, when I wear this particular pair of jeans, I (or my friends) often catch my zipper open.
This morning, I decided to end this pesky problem by using this.
Using a slip knot, I tied this string that I got from my flash drive, to my zipper.
I slipped the other end of the string to the button of my jeans.
Voila! With those simple steps, I maintained a closed zipper for one whole day! Simple and innovative!
Will I be copyrighting this invention any time soon? Well, not exactly. There’s a footnote to this little invention story. It’s not an original idea. I saw this in Engadget a few days ago.
The Best House MD Episode
The 15th episode of the 4th season of House is by far the best episode that I've seen!
House with a head injury is like Superman touching kryptonite.
This episode reminded me why I like watching House. I can definitely identify myself with him.
