Monday, July 23, 2012

RH Bill... shh don't say bad words

RH Bill, RH Bill, you're the hardest thing to say. Like Sex, dick, cunt and vagina, you're like the new vulgar word of the century. Or at least, the Philippine century.

Even the president doesn't want to have anything to do with you and will call you by any other name, like how we call vaginas 'flowers' you are thus demoted to Responsible Parenthood.

I read an article about why you're the bad guy. It's coz you're undemocratic! See, this is why:
“In essence, if you support the RH bill, you are not pro-choice.  You’re not only anti-life; you are also not pro-choice because if you were truly pro-choice, you would give the choice for your fellow citizens  whether or not to use contraceptives.”  -Lanao del Norte Rep. Fatima Aliah Dimaporo
I dunno about you, but to me the connection was pretty blurry, but hey, they'll say anything, even cry "undemocratic" just to prove you're not the way to go. We shouldn't have the stuff you're supposed to provide, you know like: (1) Information and access to natural and modern family planning (2) Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition (3) Promotion of breast feeding (4) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications (5) Adolescent and youth health (6) Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs (7) Elimination of violence against women.... etc. etc. Because if we had access to all this, apparently people are gonna have sex.

Let me repeat, people are gonna have sex!

Apparently, people won't have sex when they're kept innocent... or more of ignorant. That's an amazing conclusion, though for a while there I thought many of the girls got STDs or got pregnant coz they didn't know what they were in for nor how they could have protected themselves.

I really like the article Why the RH Bill is Bad. It clearly explains why we should just trash you now.

Horray for progress!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Upcoming Appearance: Grasslimb Volume 10 Number 2

Horray! Received an acceptance letter today from Ms. Valerie Polichar, Editor of Grasslimb journal for my poem entitled "Deciduous." It is due out this August, 2012.

The first poem they published from me is entitled The Train Comes and it came out January this year. I do retain electronic rights for that poem, so here it goes:

The Train Comes

In the company of thoughts
I might be walking in two realities:
It's you leading me to the crepe stand
in the subway halls of Seoul.
You would buy me vanilla
but I can never guess
yours always different.

Back home, I’m in similar halls
the stench of decayed concrete
and the chill of early morning solitude.
These could be your halls, too.
But the train comes
crowd upon crowd
none of them you.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

There's such a thing as a foot rapist?

Wow, what's this world coming to? I've heard of foot fetishists, but rape? I dunno if I'll laugh or cry. The headlines read "Serial Foot Molester Nabbed at Georgia Walmart Posing as TV Prankster" and here's the video:



I once met some guys who had a certain preoccupation with feet. One of them stopped me while I was jogging, and asked me to take off my shoes so he could check the "brand," which was obviously New Balance because of the logo. I know it was a mistake, but back then there were people around and I was feeling safe since I was in my subdivision/village. The guy couldn't possibly be dangerous, plus my mind was like maybe I should just be polite. So I took my shoes off, but suddenly the guy wanted me to take off my socks. He was also vehement about it, kneeling down there as though he were worshipping my feet. O_O Now that's when I realized there's really something wrong going on, so I proceeded to take back my shoe and run away like there's no tomorrow.

To guys who like feet, control yourselves, please! There's a right time for everything. If you know what I mean. >.<

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

William Lane Craig vs Antony Flew (2008 Debate)

Ah, another gem found on the net. A showdown between two professors on what the more plausible -ism (Theism vs Atheism) fits current scientific findings.

Many of Craig's arguments have been philosophized early on in human history, say by Aquinas who posits the Causal Argument for God's Existence, and by Anselm of Canterbury who uses a priori reasoning (arguing based on a set definition) to defend the same. Craig makes these approaches relevant today by supporting theism with logic, math and scientific findings. While Craig mentions some historical accounts about Jesus, it should be noted that this debate seeks to confirm God's existence/non-existence and in no way proves the need for religion nor the superiority of one religious sect vs another.




It is Flew's turn now, and he points out that he had prepared to explain/prove that there isn't enough proof of God's existence. He had not prepared to prove the opposite of Craig's stand, which is that God exists.







Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Rise of Pastafarianism (Flying Spaghetti Monster)

I've another interesting find on the internet. Been seeing the words Flying Spaghetti Monster for a while and was really wondering what they're all about. What I discovered is that they are now a legit religion, whatever legit means. I'm still quite confused about what makes a religion a religion and what makes something else a cult. Seems like a belief system is occult if it's leader is really just a scammer out to get your money, or society judges it as 'too weird,' like this one group that appeared in the news where the people believed that the way to enlightenment was through 'bunot' (having your teeth pulled out while on a meditative state).

Did some searching and found a site dedicated to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. These people have a sense of humor. I actually like them. The site covered one of their...I think it's a procession of sorts, they're raising up the image of their god here:

Creator spotted!

From what I gather, their main thrust is to encourage people to be rational about things. I agree, otherwise, what's your brain for if you just follow what the whole flock is doing? I, personally, am strongly against fanaticism. It is one dangerous state, I dare say. In this state, people can be so blinded by their beliefs that they act almost as if hypnotized, going on killing sprees for their god, or trampling on others in the hopes of wiping a towel on the miraculous Black Nazarene. That is dangerous indeed.

But on the other hand, I am also skeptical of groups that place too much value on the human rational mind. Let's not forget that the same rational thinking is also behind the persecution of the poor. It is what logically allowed us to come up with the idea of maximizing profit, giving birth to feudal systems and uncompassionate corporate hierarchies. Priding ourselves with rationality, it is always logical to ask "Will this benefit me?" "How can I maximize profit and minimize cost?"

Yes, let's be rational, but let's not leave out another part of being human--the capacity for spirit or mysticism. The Greeks, a people that nurtured some of the greatest philosophers of all time,
called this mystikos (μυστικός), meaning 'an initiate.' From Wikipedia, Mystikos is:
...the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, or levels of being, or aspects of reality, beyond normal human perception, including experience of and even communion with a supreme being.
Mysticism is scary to the rational mind. It is a different state of mind that is highly valued by ascetics and monks. But it is this different way of thinking that has also enlightened many persons on the value of working for something greater than oneself. How limited our being as humans if we just box ourselves within this thing called reason. Reason has no space for kindness or love, except in that these things will ultimately benefit the self in the end.

Anyway going back, The Church of FSM actually has an FAQ area. I feel like commenting a bit, but you can read the full text at their website:

Q: To what extent do Pastafarians need evidence to support their beliefs? What is considered valid evidence, and why are some religious ideas lacking evidence believed more widely than others? Why is Christianity more widely accepted than Pastafarianism?
A: For many religions, acceptance is due to the time it has been around and due to the number of people who already follow it. For potential followers it’s often less a consideration of evidence, and more a judgment that the collective group of followers is better informed. That millions or billions of people already follow this religion is strong social proof that there is something to it. The larger the group and the longer it has been around, the more pronounced the effect. - (This is very true, in short these are called the Bandwagon effect and the fallacy Appeal to Tradition)

But nonbelievers are overreaching when they dismiss the phenomenon of religion as wrong and useless because it so often lacks a basis in evidence. The fact that millions of people get something positive out of a religion – even if it is based in superstition – *does* mean something. But that’s not to say it’s True, only that it has Value. - (Let me just challenge this position, I mean who are we to say that only science can be true? Is Value any less important compared to Truth? Because if it is, then religion, which has Value, should thereby be dismissed altogether. This statement contradicts itself.)
For many people, religion is about being part of a community and being part of something bigger and more important than themselves. - (Uh-uh, discussed in Mystikos above)

Nonbelievers would be better off criticizing only on the negative, damaging parts of religion, and being less judgmental about the idea of religion in general. Nonbelievers get hung up asking for evidence when really we should be looking at why does religion thrive despite evidence? - (Interesting point you have here. This is certainly something that should be studied further)
We should be pushing the idea that faith is not equivalent to evidence-based-reasoning without insisting that it’s inferior, only that they are different ways of seeing the world. And that the problems happen when these world views clash. - (Another contradiction. If faith is not equivalent to evidenced-based-reasoning then why is this different way to see the world any less true than the scientific approach?)

Pastafarianism is different than most religions in that we explicitly make the point that our scripture need not be believed literally. In other religions this is known but not often said out loud (Many Christians don’t take the Bible literally but won’t volunteer this). Pastafarian scripture has some outlandish and sometimes contradictory components – and unlike the scripture of mainstream religion, these pieces were intentional and obvious, and our congregation is aware of this. - (The congregation is aware now, but will they be in the future? The Creationist myths had the same function in the past, to explain existence. But through time people began to interpret them as what really happened despite scientific evidence)

Well, I can only say this to those people: it’s only because of the insistence that we were *not* legitimate, that there was motivation to *be* a legitimate religion. You see, our religion, like Christianity and other mainstream religions, is based *not* on a foundation of evidence, but of community. The Pastafarian church was built and its legitimacy formed by people tired of being disenfranchised for thinking rationally. We have every right to exist and form a religious community. That many of us don’t literally believe our own superstitions or in the existence of our own God is evidence that we’re thinking. - (Ah, so that's what they meant by legit)
I'm done. That was fun. I'll be keeping my eyes open for this group. Let's see what they have in store for the world.

Post Pinoy Poet's Circle

It was a very cool night, albeit the weather was warm. I really enjoyed listening to everyone's poetry, some heart-wrenching, about the death of persons dear to one's heart. A death that is slow and painful. Other poems were more lighthearted and comic, inciting laughter from the audience.

I forgot to take a pic of my veggie burger so I can't include any food in this post. Howell.

Thanks to Sir Joel Pablo Salud, EIC of the Philippines Graphic Magazine, for letting me post these photos:

Diwa De Leon
 

Krip Yuson

Marne L. Kilates

Miguel Ongpin

Johanna Carissa Fernandez

Luisa Igloria on Skype

Poets Dino Manrique and Marne Kilates

Poets Jimmy Abad and Krip Yuson with writer Ditas Antenor

Poets Ramon Sunico and Alma Anonas-Carpio
Anne "Annetookeen" Carly Abad :P

Dax Cutab

Ramon Sunico

Fictionists Che and Chen Sarigumba with Philippine Star Metro editor Dulce Sanchez

Che and Chen Sarigumba with poet Danny Castillones Sillada

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Depression

Oh, God I'm depressed. This must be one of the lowest times in my life. It's been a long time since I've been this down, the last was when I was in high school and my family lost, well... everything.

I think depression is rightfully named so, because it applies an unseen weight on your body. You feel it over your head, like a dark cloud, heavy and ominous. You feel it in your eyes, when the rain finally pours. You feel it on your chest, a steady pressure, pushing into your very depths, stealing the breath from your lungs. Your heart races, ironically to steady the body as it waits to fight or flee.

Fight or flee.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Narcoleptic Cat Doesn't Want to Play

Just can't help myself. This cute find from YouTube has me smiling and giggling.


Ne-yo "Let Me Love You"

One of my favorite artists has a new single! Been wondering when he's releasing a new one because I really liked his "Beautiful Monster," "Champagne Life," and "Closer."

The song Let Me Love You refrains:
"Girl, let me love you, and I will love you, until you learn to love yourself..."
A rare string of words in pop songs of late. I couldn't stop listening to this upbeat piece. Listen to it at Just Jared, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as I did. How fan-girlish! :D


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

No Outside Food...?

Ok so this is the Philippines. And it's really not a big deal in many of the restaurants I've been to for people to bring in outside food. I've had friends who even bring in rice and ulam into places like Yellow Cab and Seattle's Best and no one would mind. After all, we don't have such things like the Health Code in the USA that states that a restaurant is responsible if someone gets sick eating in their resto.

Furthermore, this isn't exactly a first world country. A sale is a sale. If I'm gonna buy from you anyway, why would you kick me out just because I'm lugging along some food of my own? I'd understand if the food is a giant pizza, but small food you can eat with your hands shouldn't be a problem.

Also, as far as I'm concerned, as long as you're not a hotel or one of those fine dining sit-down types of places, I wouldn't assume you'd have a NO OUTSIDE FOOD policy. If you're a Spirals or a Yakimix kind of place, then I wouldn't bring baon in since that would look just tacky, with all those plastic bags and food containers.

BUT COME ON. Starbucks (Technohub), we came there thinking it would be just like the Katipunan branch that lets people bring food from McDo, Jollibee, etc. Without a sign to tell people that "Oh we're different and more sosyal, don't bring that sandwhich in here or else we'll kick you out," we were asked to leave just as we were chewing on our meat pocket things from Yellow Cab. Well excuse me, why didn't you tell us that BEFORE we've sat down, unwrapped our food, sipped our Starbucks drinks and started eating? Was that security guard just waiting to make a fool out of us, thinking "Oh, this will be fun I'll kick them out while they have food in their mouths."

If you're gonna have this policy, Starbucks, MAKE IT FRIGGIN' CONSISTENT. Weirdos.

Pinoy Poet's Circle, July 14, 2012


Yehey! It's been a while since I've read a poem out loud. I'll be reading this Saturday, July 14, 2012 along with the greatly humbling names within the "Pinoy Poet's Circle."

Shall I start vocalizing? La la la laaaaa!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Rules of Happiness

I found these spreading around on Facebook. And they sound great and Zen like and all, basically telling us to let life flow.

But I dunno. If I did all this, I imagine myself being a robot.

After all, a robot cannot:
  1. Hate 
  2. Worry 
  3. Give 
  4. Expect 
  5. Live simply (since it's not alive to begin with) 
How do you not hate if that emotion just sprouts in your heart in the wake of anger?
How do you not worry when you can die at any random moment in time?
How do you give when you don't have much to begin with?
How do you stop expecting when you want to live the best life possible?
How do you live simply, when you're not sure how to live in the first place?

Maybe this post sounds negative. But I think an oversimplification of things also dulls life's many beautiful "edges." The fact is, the majority of us aren't monks cooped up in a temple. We're out in the crazy world of traffic jams, polluted cities and crowds of people. Things happen and you won't always be happy. But you can think about what happened, what could be done better, learn from it, and then move on.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Fish in the Sea

So I found this on the 9gag:


Tough luck for these sharks hehehe. It's doing it wrong though, I think the other foreveralone life lesson here is "There are many fish in the sea, just remember to hang out with the right crowd."

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Cool Frog...Sits :D

Yes, and it's a real frog, too. The things I find on YouTube :)


Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Amazing Spiderman

It's been a while since I really really liked a movie. I watched the Spiderman cartoons as a child but I wasn't really a fan. I also had qualms about watching a movie with the word "Amazing" in the title, though I was told that's quite usual in classic comic books. In any case, The Amazing Spiderman did not disappoint.

The movie starts off with a short roll of child Peter Parker, then quickly moves on to a very familiar loser-boy-walks-into-highschool-and-gets-bullied scene. This is an overused trope in movies, books and even anime. Another trope used is the bad-guy-kills-loved-one event that causes the hero to move from apathy to activism, in this case vigilantism. Then again, this is Peter Parker, and the loser always has to be established before the hero rises in shining teary-eyed glory. There's nothing I can do about cannon, yet somehow, this movie is able to do something for me--it let me get to know Peter Parker more. Perhaps it was his twitchy, stuttering manner that drew me to his character. Awkward yet approachable and thereby very likeable. The writers and producers have tweaked the original to fit modern day society and technology, in a way that I could imagine myself in Gwen Stacy's shoes, eyeing this awkward boy like I sense something different about him, even before he gets bitten by that (in)famous spider.

I guess what I also really liked about this movie was how Peter awoke to his powers gradually, fumbling and apologetic, very true to his personality. And he bleeds. And gets bruised, quite easily, like a normal person. Though I still can't figure out how he made such a great costume. "Maybe he's a cosplayer," my boyfriend quipped.

For all the two and a half hours the movie ran, my only qualm is that the issue on Peter Parker's parents wasn't really touched upon, save for a super-mega mathematical equation his dad left behind. Given that we glimpsed his parents a short while at the start of the movie, I would have appreciated a bit more story aside from "Died in a plane crash."

Anywhoo that's about it, before I go about posting more spoilers in my review.

In short. I like this movie. Maybe I'll watch it again. :)

Chiz a Happy Man

Wala lang, just found this news funny because Sen. Chiz looks really happy in this pic about the annulment of his marriage. Har har

Yes! I'm free!