Trillanes And His Misadventures

I was so engrossed with CNN’s Republican Debate yesterday when I missed the start of a national “situation” happening right before my backyard. I felt anger and frustrations as I saw Trillanes marching through the streets of Makati. I asked myself, “What now this time?”

This country had seen so much of these “recurrent situations” since the beginning of the millenium that a penniless citizen like me gets the hardest blow each time the opposition suddenly decides to oust a sitting president or a military adveturist like Trillanes loses his patience. It was good that the investors never took seriously the recent adventures of Trillanes and the peso even emerged stronger when the trading closed yesterday.

MESSIANIC COMPLEX + SPOILED BRAT = TRILLANES

He was like a spoiled brat who cries and whimpers each time his demands are not met. His utter disregard to respect the rule of law betrays the 11 million voters that gave him a mandate to occupy a public office. Whatever happened to the man who months ago took an oath to uphold the rule of law and protect and defend the Constitution? Does the oath gave him the power or right to barged into someone’s hotel and act as if he owned it each time he lost grip of his patience? How can a soldier like him be overwhelmed by his emotions and endanger the national economy? How can a man of uniform like him whose sworn duty is to protect the national security threaten it?

Trillanes may have a legitimate grievance towards the present administration but his messianic complex is unconsciously making him the very person he hated. His paranoia to save this country from poverty, injustice, corruption and God-knows-what has constantly dragged this country’s economy downwards because of the inappropriate means he employed. Senator, not all problems can be solved by using some muscles or brandishing some firearms. Don’t you get it? We want some reforms but your proposal is just not acceptable.

When Trillanes took his oath, I told my friend I am giving Trillanes 6 years to prove me wrong for not voting for him. So far, this Trillanes is proving me right.

I hope the next time Trillanes venture into adventures he will not drag this country down with him. Oh, spare us.

A Christmas Cheer!

It’s a month and a day away from Christmas! After the Halloween, it’s now the Thanksgiving, and before you know it, you’ll be stuffing stockings of different sizes. Let CouponChief take care of your Christmas lists!

While my own list is not very long, using CouponChief is the answer to my unwillingness to go out and shop. My bestfriend Leah could use best deal magazine coupons where she could subscribe to a magazine of her choice all throughout the year. Best deal magazine offers a wide variety of magazine choices, I’m sure she will have a hard time choosing what to subscribe with. And my Kuya could use an old navy coupon for a pair of old navy jeans.

While Christmas is just around the corner, let promo codes have your worries and celebrate the holidays with a cheer!

Gluttons And Politics

Nothing significant happened today, that is, so far. Except for an email sent to me through our YahooGroup by a classmate way back from elementary. In her email she asked,

"Did you run? Do you have plans of running for office? I think you should, I know you'll do a good job...or you can't just stomach politics' dirty ways.."

I laughed while reading her letter. While I qualify to run for public office, having met the requirements of age and registration (the only requirements, would you believe?), I lack the talent to kiss somebody's ass. Politics, Filipino-style,is about kissing asses. One endangers himself by becoming an "outcast" if he insist on doing the right thing. Its either you are for them or you are against them. Remember, no man is an island. If you don't kiss somebody's ass then you kiss your own ass if you ever want to occupy a public office.

In a country where most of the political leaders lack the moral ascendancy to govern (I'm not meaning GMA - I am her avid supporter), I told her, I'll never dip my fingers in politics. I will leave the gluttons to their sorry selves.

Garage Flooring

In what state is your garage floor? Beat up, cracked and oil stained? Car Guy Garage has tiles to cover that floor and give you any pattern you can imagine giving your home a whole new look! A diamond garage flooring is enough to make your neighbor’s eyes to popped out in envy! Although, I prefer my garage in pink!

If you have newer concrete floors, protecting it and cleaning it is made easy by professional grade epoxy. You wouldn't ask for more.

Whatever your garage flooring now and whatever you would like it to be, despair no more.

THIS POST IS SPONSORED.

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien

Yesterday I was listening to Yahoo Music when Le Vie En Rose was played. I am familiar with the song since it was played in our house when I was a kid on a weekend basis. I think it was one of my father’s favorite instrumental song. Yesterday, it was played with a lyrics on it. I already knew it was sung my Edith Piaf because I have seen the movie La Mome last September during the European Film Festival in Cebu City.

La Mome is a movie about the tragic life of one of France’s most beloved singer, Edith Piaf. She lived a very extraordinary life, loved intensely, stood up after each fall and faced life drawing strength from each of her songs. Her song Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (No, I Regret Nothing) was played at the end part of the movie, and believe me, everyone in the movie house was crying.

Although she lived a questionable lifestyle, her devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux, who cured her of her blindness when she was a child, was very strong. She was an irony herself. I bet, when she learned that the Archbishop of Paris refused to give her a funeral mass, she would still sing Non Je Ne Regrette Rien.

Travel In Luxury

When traveling, finding a place to stay is not as easy as finding a seat on a plane, bus or boat, specially if one is on a very limited budget. Although, each travel is a very enriching experience, the damage it can do to one’s pocket can be substantial.

At Hotel Reservations, finding a place to stay can be as easy as clicking a mouse. Whether you want a villa in the Caribbean or a room in Shangrila, Hotel Reservations can get it for you in just a few clicks. The difficulty of finding a place to stay in any part of the world with prices which are considerably lower if compared to other online reservations is now history. In fact, Hotel Reservations guarantees that it has the lowest Special Internet Rates online and that if there is a lower rate available for the same dates and the same hotel either they match the lower rate or cancel the reservation without a cancellation fee. Isn't it great?

After each travel a wise person would always feel an inch or two taller with experience. Lessons learned somewhere along the way has a lasting effect than the beautiful panoramic views each place has to offer. More than the pictures taken or the foods eaten, it’s the story behind the faces I met that interests me. It is the struggle of the hands I shook with that leaves a print of wonder and respect on my mind. Each travel is a new opportunity not only to discover the world but to discover one’s self. Indeed, the only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

If there is one advise I can give to a friend, I’d say, travel in every little opportunity that you can. The luxury of experience each travel can offer is as memorable as the first kiss or the first date that no amount of money can afford it. You are a better person as soon as it’s done. Tara na! Sakay na

THIS POST IS SPONSORED.

Law Of Inertia

Every time I am in between two opposing forces of equal strength I always find justification of my action or lack thereof in Isaac Newton’s Law of Inertia. When I can go neither right nor left, I lay still – static.



Recently, a friend asked me to tell her husband that she wanted to end their marriage anytime soon. Whoa! It was such a difficult task! I was not able to deliver the bad news when I met the emotional husband unwilling to let go of his marriage. His own lamentations were enough to keep me from uttering a single word. When he asked me to deliver a message to his wife that he doesn’t mind if there is another man as long as their kids will be treated well by the new guy, I decided to keep my mouth shut. Not a single word reached the other side. I left them as they are.

They are the two opposing forces of equal strength I am talking about. In a situation like this, where should a good friend stand? In the middle? But I don't want to blow into pieces when love and hate collide! I don't want to take sides either. I don’t really have a choice, do I?

I thank Sir Isaac Newton for discovering the Law of Inertia. I hope no crazy congress will ever introduce an amendment to it.

My Life As A Blogger So Far

Days ago I received a comment from one of my entries that says:

Dear Bohemian Backpacker,

Paulo Coelho got wind of your blog through aart hilal and wants to post this article on his blog. Paulo Coelho’s blog
In case you have any restrictions, do not hesitate to write me on my email : valentinawol@gmail.com
Have a wonderful day!
And here's a quote to ponder:
A warrior of the Light does not rely on strength alone; he makes use of his opponent's energy, too.
(Manual of the Warrior of Light)
Paulo Coelho

Valentina

My initial reaction was, of course, ecstatic. Such chance of appearing in one of my most admired author's blogs was more than I could hope for. I never sent an email to Valentina thinking that my silence maybe and can be interpreted as a "yes". Anyway, I will always remain a visitor on Paulo's blog.

Today, as I click Paulo Coelho’s blog, imagine my shock when I saw 5 Top Personal Destinations by The Bohemian Backpacker in Paulo Coelho’s blog! I thought I ceased breathing for a moment! Was I starstrucked? Oh, yeah! I think I was!

I know this isn't a big deal but I really can't help it if it means so much to me. I just want that Camino walk to start right away! Hahahahaha!!!

In all my days as a blogger, this is by far the best day of them all!

Yabadobado!

Living A Life

Over-sized shirt, loose jammies, crumpled hair, chaotic bed, hot-steaming coffee, barefoot, cold wind from the bay and a rising sun! I love it in the morning!

It is during these times when I never for a moment missed my fast-paced life in the city. In the city where every second counts, watching the rising sun is an annual event or an unhurried sip of coffee costs a price enough to feed a family of 5.

Anyway, it’s Ben’s birthday today. Our friendship dates back from the Jurassic Era, survived the New Millenium and hopefully would witness the next Armageddon or perhaps the Second Coming. Bwahahahaha!!!

He is one of the very few persons coming from the “male species” whom I find very intelligent and smart. He is an honest critique, very generous with appreciations and a good motivator.

When he relocated to Manila a couple of years ago, I lost the physical presence of a friend who would pick me up and bring me home intact after a prolonged drinking sessions. After he left, nobody knocks on my door in the middle of the night with a bottle of tequila and a bag full of junk foods, wearing a silly grin suggesting a heartbreak or a turbulent break up. In his absence, I miss the tequila sessions, the 5am lawn tennis single matches (hahahaha! forget it!)and the unending debates and discussions (although most of the time we were on the same side).

I never believed he was serious when he told me he would relocate. Manila was such an ugly place it's not even fit for humans to live in. I'm still hoping his madness will end and he will head back to Cebu and live a normal life again.

Ben, Cebu is waiting for your homecoming with wide open arms. You are even welcome to share my chaotic bed, although, 3 is a crowd. Hahahahaha!!! Happy Birthday, Buddy! There is nothing in the world I'd wish for you but a peaceful mind and a still heart.

November Rain

It was dawn one cold November when every waking soul in our house overheard a conversation from the street.

"Kuya (big brother), we have a contribution in school. It's ten pesos."

"That's yours," said wearily by the big brother after a sound of coins being counted reverberated throughout the sleeping neighborhood.

"Let's go!," said another female voice. "The fishermen will be arriving shortly."

"There is not enough for the fish now. I need to pay what we ate last night. C'mon, let's get something for breakfast."

There was silence after they left and then the neighborhood began moving to start their day.

Early this morning, I saw the 3 of them sheltering themselves from the rain using the dirty sacks they used to wrap their goods. They were shivering and wet from head to toe and their lips were purple. I wonder if a cup of hot coffee is waiting for them at home, as hot and creamy as the one I have in my hand.

They sell "tangkong", a green-leafy vegetable nobody in this part of the world is brave enough to eat. It is sold as a hog's feed at a very cheap price. Every dawn, rain or shine, the shouting of "tangkong" is a familiar sound in our little sleepy town.

There was once when my Kuya rose from bed angrily, cursed their parents, bought all their goods and told them to go home and sleep. The shouting returned early dawn the following day.

Beat this! My town's government choir just went to Malaysia to sing. I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of pesos of taxpayer's money was spent to send them there. Though, I'm sure hot steaming coffee creamier than what I have now is waiting for them at their hotel suites.

Damn lucky bastards.

By the way, there used to be 4 tangkong vendors. One was hit by a speeding vehicle while carrying a sackful of tangkong over her head. She died instantly. Would you call her lucky?

Blog And Earn

Bear with me. This blogsite has just been accepted by payperpost . Clap! Clap! That means, I can earn dollars by blogging my opinions about websites, services, companies and products. Bwahahaha! No sweat!

My lonely days of browsing ebay has ended. PayPerPost pay bloggers through paypal and guess what? I can buy anything in ebay through paypal. Isn’t it great?

As early as now I already have plans on how to spend my dollars!

1. Buy that round trip ticket to Kota Kinabalu;

2. Get a new digicam. My cannon digicam was the latest model 3 years ago;

3. Buy a videocam;

4. Buy those books I salivated for a long time now I become dehydrated each time I think about them, and

5. Buy a notebook.

The first time I earned dollars through blogging, I went hysterical, I mean, ecstatic! My first pay was $5 but it was enough for me to convince all my friends to maintain a blogsite and earn by blogging. A few responded positively and their sites are under construction as of this writing. I just can’t simply wait to read their blogs!

Initially, due to boredom, my sole purpose to blog was just for fun, to entertain myself and those close to me. Days of blog-hopping gave me ideas I was so reluctant to take at first. I would have wanted to make my blogsite very personal and private (I don’t really know what I meant by the word “private” when anyone can just read my blog! Hehehe!), until my eyes started twinkling with dollar signs!

So, Romans, countrymen and lovers! Hear me for my cause! There will be days when this blogsite turns commercial and days when it will be more about us and our lives…