Saturday, January 26, 2013

Jan 26 To Feb 1



On Being Nice: I'm experimenting on subliminal dynamics so I needed a cassette tape recorder. I squeezed some time to buy the cheapest China-made model from the appliance section of SM Southmall on Jan. 20, 2013. I was in a hurry so I never bothered to test it. Back home, it didn't work. I had to waste more time and cancel some planned activities to return and get a replacement. It was frustrating but I'm happy and really proud to say that I got one without acting like a self-righteous jerk, demeaning other people in public. I'm not like that and it doesn't help any. I even got rapport with the merchandiser and flirted with the customer service girl. I want people to be nice to me so I'm nice to them. It's called...CHARM


On Lucena: The fun part of Lucena City in Quezon Province, when I was there Nov. 23, 2012, is the plaza full of jampacked food stalls in front of the provincial capitol. But I already had a burger at Mozart, one of the local burger stands a block away. There was a radio somewhere, tuned in to one of the provincial stations, 91.1 Campus Radio. The most interesting is the old-school stand alone movie theater, Benco, showing two films for the price of one, and that's even less than a regular feature. They are bold films, and I could imagine what's going on inside. I remember when I first went into a double-feature theater somewhere else. I was 13, playing high school hooky. Some stranger sat beside me. We were the only ones in that row. My heart pounding nervously, I felt a hand brush my knee, then it began to caress my thigh...


On the 1960s: I love the sixties though I was born in the 70s. I would have been in Woodstock, flashing the peace sign. Yeah, that's where it's at: on the road, like Jack Kerouac, on a psychedic colored van, tripping on Dylan and Spiral Staircase. Beatles and Monkees, of course! Hendrix, Marley, Peter, Paul and Mary too! The hippie movement is a revolution of consciousness, the declaration of independence of an entire generation. PEACE!






On Being Taken Hostage: I wonder what I would have done if I've been one of those gas plant workers taken hostage by terrorists in Algeria. Ruben Andrada, a Filipino engineer and one of the few survivors, tells his harrowing experience via phone patch to the radio show Ibayong Pinoy as I tuned in, Jan. 20, 2013 (I had just then texted a friend, saying I'm chillaxing for bed, "waiting for my sleepiness to reach a climax."). Andrada and the other hostages had been herded into vans, strapped with bombs, and were driven straight in the crossfire between the government soldiers and the terrorists. I'm not afraid to die, and I think I would have struggled to resist, knowing me. But one of the most important lessons I learned in my life is, in any situation, you really can't be sure of what you will do if it hasn't happened to you. Anything else is wishful thinking




On Senior Citizen Act Violations (1 of 2): The government-run Philippine National Railways (PNR) apparently spits on the Senior Citizens Act. A friend of mine, who's in his 60s and hobbling from arthritic knees, was shouted at in public by an arrogant security guard in the PNR station in Bicutan. My friend, who is also diabetic with critically unstable blood-sugar levels and had just undergone a cataract operation, was scolded like a child and was rudely told that they don't honor senior citizen cards: no courtesy lane, no priority, and certainly no discount. "Walang senior citizen sa 'kin!" was the guard's exact words. It happened past 1 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2013. When my friend arrived at the Tutuban station, he reported the incident. A security official named S. Moreno said my friend does not look like a senior citizen, by implication justifying the guard's power-tripping and utter lack of courtesy and even basic good manners. Or maybe the culture of PNR breeds that


On Senior Citizen Act Violations (2 of 2): Senior citizens deserve our highest respect for their lifetime of wisdom and their unparalleled contributions to our society and to our world. But the Philippine law mandating a 20% discount for senior citizens is being violated everyday, like in Master Siomai and other franchise food carts. Around the last week of November 2012, I boarded a Green Star bus with an Calamba-Alabang-Lawton via Skyway route. There it was: "No Student ID, No Senior Citizen ID, No 20% Discount." Just in case the passengers can't get the hint, it goes to the point: "No Senior Citizen and Student ID." Under that, to drive it home: "NO 20% DISCOUNT." Will the government sanction the bus owner? It depends on how high his connections are




On Student Rehearsals at The Luneta: I saw a lot of young students practising for their stage presentations at the giant Lapu Lapu monument at the Luneta when I passed by on Nov. 22, 2012, circling the park from the National Library to the Instituto Cervantes. I love children, and I got there videos to share the joy of seeing them in action, so full of innocence, enthusiasm and joy for living






On Kawayan Musika: I saw incredible musical artistry in front of the Manila Yatch Club on Nov. 11, 2012. I just came from the Cultural Center complex and was walking to Baywalk. I'm impressed by the originality: a duo on an improvised bamboo xylophone. I actually enjoyed the performance of the almost non-stop medley of famous pop songs. They are Kawayan Musika and their number is 0932-746-6572. I honestly believe they deserve international exposure, a showcase of world-class Filipino talent. It was one of the many things that made that special morning even more memorable. It's a beautiful Sunday, it's a beautiful day!




On True Love:  I believe in love that will last a lifetime. I want that, deeply yearn for it, in my life: with both of us grown old but still loving each other with the same passion no matter what happens, like the unforgettable characters brought to life by Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda in the film classic On Golden Pond. "You're my knight in shining armor!" she tells her husband suffering from dementia. "And always will be!"







From The Journal of Jonathan Aquino aka Huggybear

January 12, 2013
9:49 p.m., Saturday

A lot have happened lately, it seems a lifetime has been condensed in just a couple of days. I have this tendency to focus on the positive things so I try to avoid writing about the negative ones. But I want also to note events in my life that's significant. I notice, moreover, that everything turns out well in the end. Last week, the unthinkable has happened: my old reliable original vintage Nokia flip phone (which I call Volkswagen) finally malfunctioned. I went to my trusted technician friend in Baclaran. I met him when I was living in Parañaque in 2010.

We had a laugh because since then, they had moved into four different stalls and I had lived in four different places: Santa Ana in Manila, General Trias and Tanza in Cavite, and Vanguard in Moonwalk in Las Piñas. Before that, I even stayed in Gwapotel, a public transient dorm at the back of Manila Hotel: imagine a field of double bunks like the economy section of long-distance ships the size of 3 basketball courts. The things that happened to me there can also fill a volume.

So they have a new place, inside the mall connected to the LRT station, while I'm in Alabang, at least as I write this. I'm happy with my phone, don't really want another, and I'm even happier to know that I can afford to buy a new one anytime; knowing that is enough for me. I love photograhy so I bought a digicam 3 months ago, one of the few material things I've always wanted. The old reliable is now back in top form, and while there, I downloaded some songs into my digital voice recorder from CDR-King: it's the warranty replacement they issued when they found they couldn't fix (in 2 months instead of 3 weeks) the unit they sold me.

Anyway, my technician friend also runs a download thingee, and I got 21 songs for 2 pesos a pop. That was the first time I heard and really liked Every Morning by Sugar Ray.


The word "eclectic" doesn't even begin to describe it: from The Beatles' Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 


to Ric Manrique's Saan Ka Man Naroroon


to Gary Valenciano's Shout For Joy,


to Zsa Zsa Padilla's Kahit Na 


to James Ingram's Whatever We Imagine


to Maria Vidal's Body Rock 


to Init Sa Magdamag by Sharon Cuneta and Nonoy Zuñiga


to Third Eye Blind's Semi Charmed Kind of Life 


and a lot more. I bought my recorder third quarter of 2011 when I was working as a correspondent for a newspaper. As much as I love to write and really want to be able to do it fulltime, if there's one thing I learned from being a staff writer, it's that I don't want to be a staff writer ever again. That's why I went back to working in a call center: so I can have a regular income without prostituting my passion and compromising my self-respect

The Avaya phone at my work station lost its ethernet connection last Thursday so I asked to be transferred temporarily. I was assigned to a station where two supervisors already assured its okay. I prefer to be in that new area of the production floor, really, very positive vibes. End-shift the following morning, I heard that the "owner" of that station and one other girl (the noisiest and the most attention-seeking) were bitching about me, really below-the-belt stuff, because I used her station. It's not my first time to encounter back-fighters, and there are a lot of plastic people in this line of business. My only consolation is that I haven't done them any harm and their behavior is not a reflection of my character. My conscience is crystal-clear and that's all that matters.

I'm not insecure and my life is not empty; that's why I don't like gossip and office politics. I can't speak for other people.

I updated my blog 2Rivers earlier, after shift. I posted, among the 4 major stories and my diary for Jan 6, the letter-to-the-editor I sent to six national publications, about my negative experiences dealing with the police when I accompanied a friend to report a crime; he owns an Internet shop and one of his employees vanished, taking along all ten PCs. The greatest lesson I got while I was online came from the new video of my mentor Tony Robbins: What makes you rich is not money but your attitude towards it. I'll write a separate story on this


Climaxing on a musical note, as always (umabot sa sukdulan ang nota in Filipino), the Huggybear photo with the black varsity jacket with yellow stripes was taken in SM Dasmariñas mall when I got my cam, a sleek black Samsung ES91 on sale in Wellcom, November 2012. I was with a friend who lives there. Straight from my all-nighter shift in Alabang, we spent an hour in one of the local gyms, my friend being a body-builder and acting as my instructor.


Then we found a videokes-for-rent joint with private booths in the mall. Hitting the high notes and practicing the head tone I learned from Eric Arceneaux, I sang If I Believe by Patty Austin.


Of course, our back-to-back concert would not be complete without the Huggybear videoke signature song, the Jericho Rosales version of Beautiful In My Eyes:


"...and the passing years will show
that you will always grow
ever more beautiful
in my eyes..."




18 comments:

Jonathan Aquino said...

Huggybear story, Educators Digest, today Jan 27 in Panorama, the Sunday mag of Manila Bulletin

Jonathan Aquino said...

Huggybear short story with religion, science and mystery: 'Oh God, shes pregnant! Who did it?'

Jonathan Aquino said...

A story should have plot and climax. Since when did I care about rules? But I like the last part

Jonathan Aquino said...

They also serve those who stand and wait," says John Milton, who wrote Paradise Lost

They also get their photos those who loiter in the corridor, says Huggybear, who wrote Virginity Lost

Anonymous said...

His legacies live on. The Ramon Magsaysay Awards, every year since August 1958, has been honoring the most outstanding men and women of Asia, those "exemplary of the ideals and spirit of service personified by Ramon Magsaysay." Some of the honorees are the Dalai Lama, Haydee Yorac and the Blessed Mother Teresa.

Jonathan Aquino said...


What first comes to mind when we hear "Jack Canfield" is "Chicken Soup For The Soul," the anthology of inspiring and heartwarming stories of the most successful non-fiction series in the world.

Jonathan Aquino said...

Ramon Magsaysay is the epitome of public service at its noblest. That a man like became our Chief Executive is a testament that God used to love the Philippines.

Jonathan Aquino said...

Let me share with you one of my published fiction: Johnnybee. It appeared in Philippine Graphic on May 14, 2007, and I'm proud to say that it was appoved by the then literary editor, the late great Adrian Cristobal. It's about a young man with telepathic powers...

http://jonathan2rivers.blogspot.com/2009/11/fiction-johnnybee.html

Jonathan Aquino said...

The Mayan "prediction," turned out to be a misinterpretation. It's the end of a cycle, like day turning into night, January into February, winter into spring, "16 going on 17..."

Jonathan Aquino said...


"Nais ko sanang malaman
ang mali sa katotohanan..."

Jonathan Aquino said...

:)

"Nais ko sanang malaman
ang mali sa katotohanan..."

"...imulat ang isipan
sa mga kulay ng buhay,
MAGING TUNAY NA MALAYA..."

~The Apo Hiking Society
Batang-Bata Ka Pa

http://jonathan2rivers.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-favorite-apo-hiking-tagalog-songs.html

Anonymous said...

Dancer, soldier, personal trainer or Italian plumber, you just never know what you could become once you enter the realm of online gaming. You could find yourself flying a plane or jet skiing clear blue oceans, but you should have some tricks in your arsenal, and the following article will offer those.

Don't abuse your game wii and its accessories. Doing so could shorten their lifespans. Gaming devices are extremely fragile. Before you know it, you could destroy your console or one of the controllers. In addition, you should never throw down your controller whenever you're angry because you could destroy your controller, which will end up costing you lots of money.

Start out as a rookie when playing sports games. These games can be very tricky and intricate, so you will want to learn as much as you can before increasing the toughness. After playing for a few weeks, you can begin to make it more challenging by increasing the level of difficulty.

You may want to make an area in the basement or set aside a room for your kids to play their computer games. Video Games can be extremely loud, and you probably want some peace from time to time. A game room can have a lot of benefits for your family.

Hang onto those old video games you used to play. Trade in your games for new ones or for cash to maximize your investment. You can use store credits from your old games to go towards the purchase of new ones.

Learn all you can about the gaming console's content and safety settings. There is usually a setting to keep young children from accessing potentially inappropriate content. The most advanced systems will even give you the option to customize the settings for each user like a computer would.

You should try renting a game before buying it for your children. Stores often don't accept returned games if they've been played. Renting it first lets you and your kids try it out before you buy.

The Nintendo Wii system is a useful tool to help you get into shape. There are a large number of fitness games available for the Wii system.

Play online as much as possible. Pitting yourself against the skills of other online players can improve your gaming skills and strategies. You might want to try Role Playing Games or RPGs as a way to branch out from common system gaming. If you can master playing online, you can master any game you try.

Reserve games that are high in demand to ensure that you will get a copy. You may get special bonuses when ordering early. The bonuses could be some special features, outfits, or anything that could help you when it comes to playing. The only way you can get them is by ordering early.

Figure out how to operate the safety and parental controls of any gaming system that comes into your home. You can likely make adjustments that keep kids from viewing mature content. Some allow each gaming profile to be customized separately, allowing adults to enjoy games not meant for younger audiences.

Almost everyone plays video games today. By following this article's advice, you can maximize your enjoyment from your online gaming. Be sure to have fun when playing.

Anonymous said...

Dancer, soldier, personal trainer or Italian plumber, you just never understand what you could become once you enter the realm of video games. You could find yourself flying a plane or jet skiing clear blue oceans, but you should have some tricks in your arsenal, and the following article will offer those.

Although playing video games is a very fun hobby, it shouldn't be your whole life. Find other hobbies to participate in. Too much time spent on online games can be unhealthy. You have to make sure you do other hobbies and activities too. Addiction to online games is a disease which affects many today.

Start out as a rookie when playing sports games. These games can be very tricky and intricate, so you will want to learn as much as you can before increasing the toughness. After playing for a few weeks, you can begin to make it more challenging by increasing the level of difficulty.

Play in single player mode first. If you are not doing well by yourself, you will get demolished when playing with other people. If you find the game too challenging, make a trade for something you like more. Avoid wasting your time when it comes to online gaming.

When the gaming industry moves ahead, so do the gamers. Gamers expect low prices, instant access, and a large selection. When a new game releases, try waiting a few months. The prices of online games periodically get slashed as games loose their newness factor.

Always use a high grade video connector when setting up your gaming system. These cables allow you to connect to your television with different picture qualities. You should use the best ones for video games. If you can, use DVI or HDMI in order to obtain the best possible signal and picture. If your television does not offer this type of connection, there are several options available including S-Video, Composite and RCA connections. Coax connections are common, but they offer lower quality. Only use these cables if they're the only ones available.

You should try renting a game before buying it for your children. Stores often don't accept returned games if they've been played. Renting it first lets you and your kids try it out before you buy.

Computer Games can be used to get fit. Physical motion sensing technology is spreading through the industry. Today, you can get your exercise in through certain sports-related computer games like yoga. You can get in shape at home doing this.

Some of the most reveled games ever made are classics. Play them! You will also save tons of money this way. Some are available online for quite a deal.

It can be tempting to go all out buying expansion packs, add-ons and upgrades for your new game. This can get very pricey! Instead, be disciplined with your spending. Check out what you've got in the game you bought and only add on what you can afford.

Figure out how to operate the safety and parental controls of any gaming system that comes into your home. You can likely make adjustments that keep kids from viewing mature content. Some allow each gaming profile to be customized separately, allowing adults to enjoy games not meant for younger audiences.

No matter where you are playing the game you will have a great time! Keep learning so you can always be on top of the best ideas and techniques.

Anonymous said...

Games are very popular and provide entertainment for all kinds of people. Most homes have at least a single gaming platform. Obviously that shouldn't mean that you already are aware of everything there is to understand about online gaming. Use this article to provide you with some great tips to enhance all that your online games have to offer.

You should try renting a game before you buy it. You will not be able to return a game you bought once you opened it. When you rent online games, you can check them out without having to make costly mistakes.

Create a safe online gaming environment for your kids. Keep track of the people they're playing with. Certain unsavory individuals have been known to reach children via online online gaming. It is up to you to protect your children and limit their playmates to those you both know.

To become an expert at any game, you need to practice, a lot! You probably won't be an expert your first time playing a game. Give yourself some time so you can practice; never give up on practicing until you get really good at it. Before you know what's going on, you'll be able to play like a pro.

Spend quality time with your children by taking on a online game that you both enjoy. Many kids really enjoy playing games on their computers and video consoles. There is a lot to learn from playing video games. You can find games that are educational to teach them as well as help them learn the skill of hand-eye coordination.

Always use a high grade video connector when setting up your online game system. These cables allow you to connect to your television with different picture qualities. You should use the best ones for video games. If you can, use DVI or HDMI in order to obtain the best possible signal and picture. If your television does not offer this type of connection, there are several options available including S-Video, Composite and RCA connections. Coax connections are common, but they offer lower quality. Only use these cables if they're the only ones available.

You should try renting a game before buying it for your children. Stores often don't accept returned games if they've been played. Renting it first lets you and your kids try it out before you buy.

If you are buying a new gaming system, make sure that everything works after you purchase it. Even if you're not going to use every accessory for it, check the various ports to see if they're in working condition. If you discover a problem months after your purchase, such as a broken headphone jack, you won't be able to exchange the xbox for a new one.

The PS2 is 12 years old and kind of outdated, but the one thing it has going for it is that it is very cheap. The games for this system are about half the prices of Xbox and PS3 games. There are also many more games available.

Buying a new game is tougher than you may think. You might waste a lot of money on a game you end up hating. Read game reviews before making a purchase.

Figure out how to operate the safety and parental controls of any gaming system that comes into your home. You can likely make adjustments that keep kids from viewing mature content. Some allow each gaming profile to be customized separately, allowing adults to enjoy games not meant for younger audiences.

No matter if you need to boost your grades, manage people and products, or get back at an enemy in the dark, video games can truly make it happen! Put the recommendations and tricks of this article to good use in your world of gaming today.

Jonathan Aquino said...

The philosopher Diogenes was carrying a lamp in broad daylight coz he is looking for a just man

Jonathan Aquino said...


Writers make the world a better place. We serve by sharing ideas that change the lives of others

Jonathan Aquino said...

Tony Robbins - 5 Keys to Wealth & Happiness (part 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEpfykt-EOQ

Jonathan Aquino said...

Tony Robbins - New Power Principles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOxTn6OXClg&NR=1&feature=endscreen