Technology, you just have to love it. Halfway around the world, and we could still find ways to hurt each other.

Vince O. Teves is back with another disarmingly candid, subtly romantic book about his life after Andrea, his ex-girlfriend, left for the US. Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter - Getting Over Andrea is the sequel to the highly successful title Vince’s Life that was published four years ago.

Vince is finally taking the first step toward the two dreaded words after months without Andrea — moving on. They still communicate frequently through emails, and he has been demoted from boyfriend to buddy, but that’s okay with him. The important thing is that he’s got himself a job at an award-winning ad agency, something that he has never really expected. Soon after, he is introduced to the agency’s “Charlie’s Angels,” one of whom becomes his love interest as the story progresses.

A lot of elevator pranks (which consisted of things from catty to just plain crass), beers at Yakuza (a bar the agency dudes hang out at frequently), heart-breaking email exchanges (between Vince and Andrea), a successful account (a product of overtime works and a sleepless night), and an old high school crush later (with whom Vince has a textbook-perfect date…sans the magic and fireworks), Vince hooks up with Cat, the hazel-eyed, “kinky librarian type” of the three angels. They have stimulating conversations, and they find a common ground with their love for books.

They become close, but an awkward moment befalls upon them as Vince’s mouth gets the better of him, and Cat ends the call with, “You make me believe in magic again. And just when everything is so beautiful, you go and break the spell.” Even after that, they become even closer still and the magic remains, albeit not one of them acts on it. All is well and dandy, until Andrea tells Vince that she’s coming home.

Confused, he is left to choose between an old flame and a new one. The beach, or the Ad Congress? Should he win Andrea back, or continue what he’s started with Cat?

“I have to see where this is going,” I said, trying to explain. “Andrea and I were serious for a long time, and it just doesn’t go away so quickly. I’ve known her for six years–”

“Four,” Cat interrupted.

“It’s six,” I explained. “I’ve known her since first year college–”

“Four!” Cat insisted, her anger flaring again. “She’s been gone for two years. And for those two years, you and her have been nothing. And you know what, Vince? You can’t love someone who’s never there.”

I’ll be a heartless bitch and spoil everything for you. He chooses the latter.

On a sidenote, that “magic” and “fireworks” stuff will stay with me forever. And I’m not going to write pages 90-92 here, but trust me, it’s a must-read. It’s probably the part of the book where I first got teary-eyed. Granted, I’m such a crybaby, but the letter that was never sent just gave my heart a little pinch, and I felt the hurt, if you know what I mean. Pages 139-140 are a gem.

“[...] I won’t be stuck in the past, holding on to our yesterday, waiting for something that won’t ever come back.

“And I’m happy. You don’t know how happy I am now that I’ve straightened all of this out.” I laughed, I don’t know why. It wasn’t particularly funny. “We gave it our best shot, and we loved hard. It was beautiful. And now we’re both free–and whole–and we can do whatever we want to do.

“You’re leaving again. But I won’t ever lose you. Some people think loving someone is a waste when it doesn’t work out because you can’t take back the love you gave. But I don’t think it’s like that. You’re a part of me.”

I remember back then, right after reading Vince’s Life, I told my friends, “I think I’m in love.” With Vince, I thought. I’m a sucker for guys who can write beautifully. Besides, every girl deserves a Vince in their lives. And in this second installment, we see a growth in Vince here, and, even if it doesn’t exactly precede the first book, I like it better.

What I love best about Vince Teves is that he writes in a simple yet beautifully lyrical manner that makes you feel as if you’ve witnessed firsthand the things he went through. Unlike most of the Filipino-written chick lit books I’ve read, his words are simple and honest. There’s no need to use a dictionary or thesaurus to look up big words, and the way his sentences flow is easy to follow. Vince is expressive just as he is sensitive, and it shows.

Both Vince’s books are perfect for an afternoon break at the park. They’re short and sweet. They are for people who are in touch with their romantic side. They’re for girls who take guys for granted, and for guys who take life for granted in the name of love. They’re about falling in love, moving forward, moving on, falling out of love, and falling in love all over again. In short, they’re incredibly cheesy, but I like them all the same. Vince’s life may very well be a glimpse, or a mirror, of our own lives.

Give the books a try, if you haven’t done so already. Who knows? You might like them just as much as I did…and that’s a lot.

This is just to bump up this upcoming fun event. Do tell if you plan on going.

This is it! The night we’ve been building up to: Laughs And Gasps: an amazing night featuring the magic and mentalism of Kel and Jay, and the music and comedic wit of our very special guest, Ms. Giselle Sanchez!

Join us this November 22, 7PM, at the Wikipilipinas Headquarters Rooftop, for a night of magic, mentalism, music, and comedy. This is Laughs And Gasps: a special night for the benefit of the Giselle Sanchez foundation, a charitable institution established to give educational aid to brilliant but underprivileged girls, because everyone deserves a chance at quality education. For P250, you will be treated to an amazing show, and you even help out the foundation in this noble endeavor.

Who Are Kel And Jay?

Kel Fabie is a professional host, magician, and mentalist. He is known for his versatility in his craft, enabling him to be a fit in any event, from kid’s parties to weddings to product launches to rock concerts. He is also a former radio personality from WAVE 891 and the station formerly known as Campus 99.5.

Jay Mata is one of the underground stars of magic and mentalism. His knowledge base in the art of mentalism, particularly hypnosis, is second to none. Even in his day job, Jay has managed to wow the most challenging of audiences for any performer: company trainees, and now, high school students.

Collectively, they have done shows for the likes of Mike Defensor, BPI, Alaska, SM Mall of Asia, Mangaholix, the Philippine ToyCon, the Philippine Music and Arts Festival, and countless other parties and events, including opening for bands like Bamboo, Spongecola, Callalily, Dice and K9, and South Border.

Their biggest show to date is tentatively happening this coming November, a benefit show of magic, mentalism, and comedy, with special guest Ms. Giselle Sanchez which is the main attraction for a fund-raiser for the benefit of the Giselle Sanchez Foundation, in coordination with the Philippine blogging community.

As a tandem, Kel and Jay specialize in what can only be called an amalgam of edgy, exciting, and funny magic and mentalism. From escapology to sleight of hand to bizarre, even apparently paranormal demonstrations and everything else in between, Kel and Jay will pull out all the stops to entertain you!

The Giselle Sanchez Foundation

The Giselle Sanchez Foundation is an educational foundation set up by comedienne/singer Giselle Sanchez last December 8, 2005 to support students possessing superior intelligence or talent but have no means to support their education. Giselle, being a scholar in Poveda and U.P. herself, was able to achieve her dreams by getting proper education. She realizes the value of education and at the same time recognizes the severe poverty around her . She has met many students with the thrive and dream to study but have no means. This is the reason why she set up the foundation. Presently , the foundation has two students in college and two in elementary – Blessie Trivino in STI Calamba and Henry Bernasol in STI Davao both taking Nursing and elementary students VJ and Morelia Son in Mactan City. The foundation hopes to increase its number of students next year with more funding from generous benefactors and proceeds from free concerts set up by Miss Sanchez and her friends from the industry.

Plagiarized from The New Worlds Alliance.

EDIT: CPK did redeem itself. Read about the 2nd visit on my Multiply.

I’m a rather stingy person. I think I got it from my dad, who’s makunat to the bones except when it comes to TVs and his much-loved vehicle. The only places you’d see me spend my money freely are bookstores and fast food chains (or food courts), and even then, I’d probably choose the cheapest I could find. Restaurant bills go straight to my dad’s face, especially when the total amount printed is 300 times my pocket money.

After a gruesome fight with stubborn corner dirt and trash at home, my family found its way to Trash to Cash Recycling Market at SM North EDSA parking area. While our garbage pile was impressive, the amount we got for it was not. We got about two to three times more selling our trash to the nearby junk shop than to SM, so boo that! But then, anything for the environment, right? The money’s really just a plus (yeah, right!).

My dad dropped us off at the mall and hurried over to his weekly Svenson seminar at Timog (someone has to manage his hair, after all). The rest of us lounged around our usual table at Burger King while waiting for him, and I stole a couple of hours to dig through piles and piles of books at Booksale.

After the dad arrived, we trudged to TriNoma via the not-so-complete connecting bridge and had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.

Before the TriNoma branch of CPK, I’ve only visited the one in Glorietta 3 two months ago for the Make Your Own Pizza Adventure they invited me to. It was an okay experience. Food and drinks were great, but the service was, to put it mildly, not so good (I did say mildly, right?).

The family’s dinner last Saturday wasn’t that much different from the first.

As soon as we reached the front of the door to the restaurant, a woman greeted us nicely and escorted us to our table. I loved our place, except that for a family as big as mine, the insufficient space between the table’s edge and the couches proved breathing to be difficult. The inside of the restaurant was dim, lit by yellow, prettily-decorated overhead lamps. Reading inside the restaurant — even the menu — was like watching TV with eyes closed.

I was pleased with the speedy and prompt service…until a certain family of three occupied the table in front of the one across ours. The waiter made chismis with them for, like, forever. Apparently, the old couple and their son were regulars and familiar faces to even the manager. In my mind, it wasn’t an excuse to ignore our calls. My dad had to wait for an iced tea refill for about 15 minutes just because the man who was waiting our table was hanging around the other family’s table. Because I was annoyed, I noticed everything wrong right away. Like, in the span of those 15 minutes we [im]patiently waited for the refill, dear waiter had refilled the glasses of the ones from the other table twice — glasses that weren’t even near half-empty! We went so far as to say our request to the woman waiting the table at the back row, but in turned out that the requests were delivered straight to the one who was in charge of our table — who was, evidently, unavailable as he was too busy getting all sipsip to the other family. She even nudged him twice just to remind him that we were practically tapping our feet in annoyance before he budged. UGH! So frustrating! The dinner that started out fun went downhill from then on. I’d understand if there were lots of diners, but as I had observed, he was waiting only two or three tables, all in the same area. Would it be so hard to notice us? >=O

*sighs* Good thing a Slam Dunk marathon was on, else I’d throw a fit. But anyway, let’s move on to the food, shall we?

I loved the Broccoli Sun-Dried Tomato Fusilli. Every baby broccoli was soft to bite, and the entire dish was just plain awesome. It was the cheapest in our menu, but it was the most delicious. Even the Fettucine with Garlic Cream Sauce was perfectly done, but it could get old in one’s tongue when consumed in big servings (cream’s fault, perhaps?). The pizzas weren’t bad either. Why The Original BBQ Chicken pizza was popular in CPK became a trivial matter at the first bite. It was as delectable as Richard Gere and Harrison Ford (not kidding!). The strong flavor (barbecue sauce?) of the pizza assaulted my senses as soon as a morsel of the BBQ chicken entered my mouth. I’d say it’s definitely a must-try. You could wash everything down with an order of bottomless Raspberry Iced Tea, which was refreshingly great.

The food was great…but I’m sure you’d be able to find cheaper restaurants with an even more impressive (and heavenly unhealthy) menu. However, since we’re talking Italian, and since pasta and pizza make a naturally heavy meal, you wouldn’t be robbed at all. You be the judge of that though; MunchPunch has an online menu of CPK, with a price list that badly needs to be has been updated.

All in all, my second visit to CPK was impressive food-wise, and irritating service-wise. I’d be sure to sit far away from that cursed table on my next visit tomorrow.

I’m going! Everyone who loves chocolates, booze, and fun should do too!

I’ve just purchased two tickets yesterday (thanks, Vero!), and I’m bubbling over with anticipation and excitement at the chocolate-coated haven that awaits me on Friday. Details of the launch/open party are as follows:

When: Friday, November 14, 2008, at 8:30PM
Where: The Grand Terrace, #5 Villanueva Drive, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City (map)
Attire: Party glam

Contact Vero at 9178516637 to buy or reserve a ticket now! It’s on a first come, first served basis and, as the organizers said, guests are piling up. The event is making more buzz as it draws near so I’m sure the list is growing longer every minute. For P250, you get overflowing chocolate fondues (semi-sweet, dark and white) with various dipping treats and shooters that will be served all night long!

Got this list from the party website:

23 Signature Shooters

1. Spongebob Bath - Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? This pays tribute to the underwater cartoon character everyone knows! Fresh pineapple with a simple alcohol beverage will surely quench your fruity cravings!
2. Original Sin - This is a refreshing apple concoction, which creates a surprising sting.
3. Cuba Libre - This contains the great match of the spirit of soda with aged dark rum. Simply irresistible!
4. Confucius - This is a mixture of different tastes, which may be puzzling, but will be an ultimate favorite!
5. Ocean Joy - Just the sight of an ocean put into a drink will give you a relaxing, euphoric experience!
6. Goddess - Everyone fantasizes to be a mythical god or goddess while reclining and being fed with grapes. This has grapes, which are fresh and juicy, with the perfect mix of tartness.
7. Backstabber - You may think that this is a light and sugary shooter, but little do you know that this has a sharp taste of alcohol backstabbing you.
8. Bittersweet Sunset - This is a perfect combination of fruity juices and liquors with a smooth taste, which you will definitely cherish!
9. Scorching Discovery - Instead of the traditional and plain tequila, why not combine it with a light fruity flavor, which makes this ultimately refreshing!
10. Landslide - This black forest drink will give your tongue the benefit of a crusty, fudgy landing, which will flow smoothly from the tip of your tongue to your throat.
11. Melon Madness - This mild melon mixture with yummy melon syrup will make you crave for more!
12. Midsummer Night - This has the best of both worlds, swishing your tongue with a sour and sweet blend.
13. Flamingo Pomelo - This will give you a sour kick you will enjoy!
14. Tine’s Lunchbox - Remember the good old days when all you had was a peanut butter sandwich and a banana inside your lunchbox? Well, this will bring back those fun snack times with your playmates!
15. Pseudo Margarita - This is our special version of the lemon lime margarita!
16. Daredevil - This is a mixture of various kinds of alcohol with your favorite carbonated drinks, which make this drink more thrilling!
17. Aphrodite - Who will not love a rich chocolate shooter coupled with another layer of thick, pure chocolate at the bottom?!
18. Sarsaparilla - Everyone misses the old fashioned root beer! But put together with your favorite liquor and sweet jelly will give you a taste of its modern bubbly sweetness.
19. Playground - Who does not know the famous Philippine chocolate, Chocnut?! The amazing chocolate and peanut taste we once loved is now made even more captivating! This will certainly bring kindergarten memories!
20. Earth Fusion - Just seeing the colors of this drink will remind you of our mother earth. The green surprise at the end added to earthy, fruity flavors will surely become a hit!
21. Buco Pandan Surprise - What is a better idea than transforming our favorite dessert into a shot with a native surprise at the bottom?! For sure, this will be a crowd pleaser!
22. Cappuccino Getaway - This is the perfect coffee cappuccino shooter, a definite stress reliever.
23. Sweet Temptation - You may be hesitant to drink this at first because of its black color, but if you try it, you will appreciate its sweet, strong and unforgettable taste!

2 Signature Set Shooters

• Four Seasons

  1. Winter - This is a cool and smooth drink with the right amount of unique sweet frosting, which makes it even more exciting!
  2. Spring - This light fruity drink will remind you of budding sweet cherry blossoms during spring time.
  3. Summer - Thinking of a perfect Hawaiian summer vacation? Well, this tropical drink will give you a taste of the getaway you will never forget.
  4. Fall - How about a modern taste of tea, which will remind you of memories during autumn?

• Stages of Love

  1. Attraction - Everything starts when you see that attractive person. This shot is milky and fruity with red, sweet syrup, which will surely be a sight to sigh upon.
  2. Infatuation - Next comes what we call “in like.” After Attraction, this shooter begins to thicken and become stronger, but still pampers your mouth with its dairy and smooth taste.
  3. Love - Of course, next is love. This has the perfect taste everyone is looking for.
  4. Obsession - You think everything ends with love? You are probably wrong. Sometimes, it leads to Obsession. This shot has a very strong taste, which you can never let go.

I toyed with the idea that it’s an effect of joining NaNoWriMo, but I’ve been immensely enjoying myself so it’s out of the question (I’m behind, but who cares? Admittedly, my main purpose in joining is not to reach 50,000 words, but to come up with, erm, something). I’ve been thinking “happy thoughts,” continuously reading and re-reading Kurama/Botan fan fictions so [I think] it’s not my usual frequent bouts of depression (the kilig factor of the unusual pairing still hasn’t failed me yet). I’ve even read feel-good love stories in hopes that happy endings will perk me up.

Nothing was effective enough to

But then, I’ve stopped taking in antidepressants since I haven’t gone to my shrink for a long time now. No prescription drugs for the past couple of months.

Reason enough?

Perhaps.

I’m actually convinced it’s really my PDA phone-addicted self talking? I’m currently using the Treo 600 I bought for my mom, but I terribly miss my Treo 680. The feeling is reminiscent of when I lost my Treo 650.

Contraptions and depressions. Who knew they’re actually related?

There are so many things to grieve about that I can’t even start. My last hotsync with the laptop is 17 days ago, so contacts added since then have been lost. I can’t read Reading Lolita in Tehran because I’m too lazy to do it on the computer. On the positive side, all important files are stored on my lovely 2GB SD card, and everything else is a matter of synchronizing.

I just NEED to have my phone fixed. I know it’s my fault, and I should’ve put on the silicone case I bought (which was really too expensive to be ignored, but I did anyway) to protect it, but I was stupid, okay? Now, I need to have my Treo back. I should be writing for NaNoWriMo, but I can’t concentrate with thoughts of my poor PDA phone under the TV stand, rotting on the inside *sniff sniff* I don’t even know if I can actually pay for its repair, but I’ll grovel and beg on my knees if I have to.

Donate for the cause!!! Refer to my introduction on the homepage for my Paypal email address!!!

Heh, kidding. (Well, not really, now that I think about it, haha.)

I just need to know of a (hopefully cheap) repair shop around my area — Quezon City. Just direct me to the cheapest Palm Hospital you know. Or any shop that you know that has trustworthy people that can handle Palm problems. Boohoo! I’m really sad that this has happened, but I guess I’d just have to deal with it, no?

It was actually sort of unexpected. We rushed my mother to the emergency room at Capitol Medical Center late in the afternoon Monday because she was experiencing excruciating pain. It was sort of a running joke in the family, how my mom would definitely be admitted for something. More than 4 years had passed since she underwent total hysterectomy after finding out she had cervical cancer (my grandmother also had it). We spent about a month in St. Luke’s Medical Center, missing Holy Week and a lot of other things. So there was this feeling that my mother would be confined again, and I was right.

The finding was appendicitis. It was still “raw,” so the residents scheduled her for appendectomy the day after. I was by her side since Monday, went home to rest on Thursday, and went back on Friday to stand guard again. Everything went well, and she was discharged from the hospital just yesterday (Saturday). I’m relieved that she’s okay now; my mom’s midsection is full of stitches already, heh. She’s on sick leave till the 15th.

Again, thanks to everyone for the concern, also to the Plurkers.

I haven’t been to anywhere outside Luzon. In fact, the farthest points I’ve ever visited are Benguet up north (after all, I did study in Baguio) and Batangas down south (where I spent my 19th birthday with my Geography 1 classmates). I’m very vocal about these facts even if they’re not exactly things one should be proud of, and I find them to be sorry excuses for not knowing a lot about the Philippine geography. My mother, who’s a well-traveled person, always hears about my woes regarding my lack of “The Philippine Experience” — erhm — experience. It’s such a shame that I’ve been to a neighboring country when I haven’t even seen my own backyard, so to speak. All that’s going to change pretty soon, I hope.

One of the places I’m dying to visit is Davao City. Pa’no ba naman, people have been actively promoting Mindanao destinations left and right, and Davao City seems to be one of the most well-loved places in the bunch. My mother — who’s in the hospital right now, by the way, and still recovering from the appendectomy she underwent 3 days ago — has already been there, and she tells me stories about the Royal City and how she fell in love with it. DepEd and the school she works at always hold seminars in beautiful cities all around the Philippines, and I always get pretty pictures and nice stories as pasalubongs. I’d like to be the one traveling once in a while, and bring home the pictures and the stories for once.

It’s always a pleasure being exposed to other Philippine cultures. That, and the different specialties in foods that different places have to offer. I want to taste the ever famous exotic durian fruit (I’ve had durian candies, but nothing beats the real thing…I think) and know for myself if it indeed “smells like hell but tastes like heaven.” I’ve always been a city girl, and I want to know how the city life in Davao goes. If Davao is anywhere near as awesome as Mindanao Bloggers have been saying, then I’d probably feel like I’m in heaven.

In all actuality, what I know about Davao are only what I’ve studied and read about it. I’m eager to find out more about it by feeling the place myself, visiting the tourist spots not just as any other tourists, but as a Filipino who loves the diversity and beauty of the country. (Of course, there’s a very illogical fear that I wouldn’t wish to go back to Manila once I’ve experienced life in Davao. )

Hmm…I wonder if there are a lot of gorgeous Dabawenyo guys to ogle at. Cebu Pacific just has to let me find out.

And I really thought I was being shneaky, darn it! Tsk!

Steve Weber, a Forrest Gump impersonator, visited the TriNoma branch of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at lunch last Tuesday to celebrate the first anniversary of the branch and launch the new menu items of the restaurant chain here in the Philippines. He was hired by the folks at Bubba Gump to promote the restaurant worldwide; he’s been doing it for so long (12 years) that he has the character right down to the goofiness.

Among the new dishes served that I personally love and will definitely try again are

• Dynamite Shrimp, P315 - Shrimp Poppers cracklin’ hot with a spicy Asian glaze
• Spicy Jambalaya Pasta, P495 - Shrimp and Spicy Andouille Sausage over Linguini with Bourbon Street Tomato Sauce
• “That Chocolate Thing”, P340 - A special jar of warm flourless chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, drizzled with raspberry sauce

“That Chocolate Thing” became the highlight of Table Number One (composed of Joy, Jonel, Janine, Robby, and *coughs*ahem,ahem*coughs*…I know, I noticed the J’s too!). You wouldn’t understand if you weren’t there, but let me tell you this (though you don’t have to take my word for it): “That Chocolate Thing” is pure bliss. It is reminiscent of Cyma’s delicious chocolate dessert, so if you liked that one, you sure would love this too. I swear, it is so worth one week’s worth of allowance, because it’s *that* good. Let me just add that you should probably bring your own vanilla ice cream, ’cause the chocolate cake at the bottom of the jar tastes absolutely fantastic with lots of it.

And I’ve had another potato fix. I’ve been craving for potato salad and mashed potatoes for the past two weeks, and the Pantene Party a couple of days ago saw me going back to the buffet to get as much potato salad as I could. Did the same at Bubba Gump with its yummy mashed potato.

I tried to steal Forrest’s suitcase (as shown on the photo above), but he (fortunately—for him) caught me red-handed, and threaten to spank me with his ever intimidating ping pong paddle.

More pictures on my Multiply!

There is such thing as free lunch after all. Thanks, Bubba Gump and Forrest Gump!

I’ve never been known for my [lack of] tact. I believe that passive-aggressiveness has no place in the world, especially when you know something that’s being done is ultimately not right. I like to complain a lot when gross injustice and unfairness are being done right in front of me. I reprimand the super undisciplined people who don’t know how to fall in line on taxi queues (lack of self-discipline, anyone?). I call out on the pasaway people who do not know how to at least follow the basic policies (let me put it this way: I’m one of those people who believe that, as much as footbridges are tiring, they are necessary and should be used. If you’re a jaywalker and get side-swept by a car, it’s your fault). I love being in the sidelines, but when my rights are being trampled upon, or when I see idiotic people doing idiotic things, I bark and bite in the worst way possible.

It’s not that MRT violated my rights as a passenger. And I’m not complaining against the guard who approached me a couple of hours ago to tell me that my brother and I should not board the first train car. In fact, the guard was extremely patient with me despite the fact that I bit his head off. My complaint is against the Manila Metro Rail Transit System as a whole. Because seriously, just like the government, it pretty much sucks. It’s its own policy violators, if that makes sense at all.

According to an online dictionary, a policy is “a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.” So when the guard told me that it’s in the MRT policy that children over 3 feet are not included in the “women, children, and the elderly” shiznit, I immediately saw red and lashed out at the him. No, I wasn’t hysterical. Maybe it was overreacting on my part, but to tell me something is a long-time policy when you don’t even enforce it (you always look the other way) is simply the biggest load of crap, if I’ve ever heard one.

My brother has been well over 3 feet for half of his life. He’s only 12 years old, but he’s taller than me now at 5′5″. Since the MRT adopted the “first train car for women, children, and the elderly only” policy, we’ve been riding in the first train car for safety purposes (of my brother’s, of course). I hate for him to be jostled around a train chock-full of men, so I always take him with me. My mother, meanwhile, has always been under the impression that “children” meant children under the age of 13. We never let my brother ride anything else but the first car.

No one has ever told me that my brother should be somewhere else. No one has ever questioned my brother’s presence in the first car. That is, until now. Guards always see him come and go, and they never ever talk with us about it when they frequently (yes, not always) stop men from entering the first car. And we’re pretty much a bunch of frequent MRT passengers. Heck, there was even a time when I asked a guard if my brother was allowed to be with me, and he said yes. But I realize now that perhaps, I was wrong to assume that my brother is “qualified” to be called a child.

A few minutes before 7pm — tired and all too ready to go home — my brother and I trudged out way to the front area of the MRT station. Did the guard see us? I would think so, since we passed by him. So imagine frustration and resentment I felt when, after 15-20 minutes of standing and waiting for a train comfortable enough to accommodate us without the danger of air trouble, and with the door right in front of us, he strolled over to me and told me men over 3 feet shouldn’t board the first car. I told him my brother is a “child,” he told me Robby is not under the MRT policy. I told him that if it was a policy, the system should be consistent in enforcing it. Why just now did someone stop us from boarding the first car?

I stomped my way back to the ticket booths, complained my mouth off to the police stationed there and another guard, then demanded the supervisor of the station to give me a copy of the MRT policy. I told him I would file a complaint, but really, it would be just a letter addressed to the administration of the MRT.

Ganito yan eh: bakit mo palalampasin ang isang bagay na alam mong mali o hindi alinsunod sa batas na pinaiiral mo? Dahil ba maliit na bagay lang ito? Anong klaseng rason naman iyon?

That’s what I absolutely hate about everything eh. That’s what irks me in this situation. You let some things pass because they’re small things. Eh kaya namimihasa ang mga tao, kasi you never call out on their wrongdoings. Petty thefts can easily escalate into full-blown robberies.

I demand that the MRT administration:

• properly brief its employees about its policies
• see to it that these policies are being strictly enforced; and,
• make these policies known to its passengers as to avoid any confusion

In the end, I chose to board the train going to Taft Avenue, then from Taft to North Avenue, because I needed to calm myself down. And you know what? The guard at Taft saw some guy who was sitting at the first car and asked him to get out, but he never even told the same thing to my brother, who was all too noticeable where he was sitting (he was right in front of the guy, in fact). Where’s the consistency in that?

What’s this, only when they feel like it do they say something is a policy? Or is this so-called policy made to be broken in the first place?

(Sensya na if this blog entry is magulo; mainit pa rin kasi talaga ulo ko sa nangyari kanina.)