island man about town

2011-03-02T04:32:00.003+08:00

thank you. this prayer we offer in thanks to selfless devotion of family and friends to lifelong bonds tested by time by distance by adversity yet you heard our cry for help this prayer we offer in thanks to the quiet strength that smiles knowingly though no trumpets declare to prayers sent in the solitude of the heart despite time despite distance despite adversity you prayed with us in

2011-03-01T15:06:00.019+08:00

grilled pork belly, arroz caldo and fringe 05.48PM, 02.28.2011. what i thought was just a sniffle last tuesday turned into a bout of sneezing, dripping and runny nose and colds wednesday dawn, with sudden joint pains and fever later that day. after emailing my boss, i slept from thursday through saturday morning, with a brief lucid moment to accompany my wife for her doctor's appointment (and

2011-02-14T15:24:00.000+08:00

Valentine's Day On The Clock When my wife and I were still dating, I would shamelessly cut classes to spend the whole of Valentine's day with her. It was chocolates, a DVD marathon at her place (usually with her mom and baby sister), then dinner and a movie night out. surprising how magical a few hundred pesos (or roughly USD 20.00) can turn an ordinary February day into something special.

2011-01-07T23:13:00.005+08:00

satti on my mind there's nothing better than slurping up that gooey orange-colored sauce laced with the flavors of garlic, curry and chili peppers. i venture into muslim culinary territory, which is so unlike larsian's bbq or AA's must-haves, and where the satti sauce is front and center, and the bbq (halal, of course), a humble accompanying instrumentalist. i'm talking about satti. or satti

2010-05-03T20:13:00.001+08:00

on writing moods and conflicts of stylewhen i began to write stories in my second year in high school, i began with an short story written in poetic form, using the iambic meter, with an 14-line chapters that ended with couplets. later on, in canlubang, i learned and observed that there were three general styles of writing: formalist, structural and stream-of-consciousness. i had three close

2010-04-27T12:34:00.000+08:00

and they say guys can't connect.So, after another hiatus, i'm back. this time, there will be no more promises of constancy and focus, only well-written inanity and frequent references to poker and fantasy fiction. in the meantime, while i muddled my entry into 2010, here are two old friends whose constancy and focus kept my head above water in my well-indulged inanity of ten or so years ago. i've

2009-03-29T10:45:00.001+08:00

To My Wife.*i remember youwalking by my circlethoroughly immersed in conversationyour hair done up in a bunyour eyes far offas you spoke into your phone.your eyes took meas they take me away todayremembering how, as you walked up the stepsyou glanced at methen glanced away, to say helloto friends who would introduce usi never glanced away.i turnedand took your eyes inamber-lit by the yellow

2009-03-18T20:04:00.000+08:00

In Time. *In time, this will be forgottenin time, the letters will remain unwritten,as though severed from memory;an ember thought, but not given flame.it was unexpected, but not sudden,anticipated, but not really something to look forward to like the coming of twilight -- you look for the momentwhen day turns to night, never seeing till it's thererolling over you, heady, yet soft, a light

2009-03-17T13:20:00.002+08:00

the day of four summers.*that day, the day of four summerspast, scintillates clearly so thatthe other days that led to itand the days in its passingare dry leaves tossed and strewn across the groundby a playful, teasing breeze.that day, the day of four summerswas my life coming to an endof a new birth; of knowing no other life beforesorrows are left to fend for their ownregrets are left somewhere

2008-10-13T15:07:00.006+08:00

On Guitar Heroes, Web-comics: Getting your idea off the ground, and then some.Ian Z IM-ed me yesterday about collaborating on a web-comic. Now, it should be noted that as far as my prediliction for fiction is concerned, prose is more my turf than comic book-writing. But his idea was interesting. Very, very interesting. It's about a young guitarist who owns an old guitar that contains gems that

2008-10-11T15:17:00.002+08:00

Living up the joys of domestic lifeIn two weeks, I'm celebrating two years and a half of blissful-slash-nerve-wracking married life. Why blissful? Because I did meet my better half. Why nerve-wracking? Because I did meet my BETTER half. Men are not given to introspective sentimentality, and truly not even the fantasy fic aficionados like me go as far as to say they're living the romance of their

2005-12-06T00:23:00.000+08:00

the blog commandments. got this off another blog (thanks, jeff ooi!). http://www.lawgazette.com.sg/2005-11/Nov05-feature1.htm useful stuff to know...

2005-12-02T05:58:00.000+08:00

A Little Dawn a little dawn and then the stars winked out one by one leaving the dimming night to cloak in blankets of baby blue wispy cotton clouds for their pillows hastily, i creep along thumbing my nose at the now-dawning day the crowning of light no sun over the line yet the dawn peels away the dregs of night, that a rabid tingling begins at the top of my scalp running down my

2005-11-30T04:37:00.000+08:00

reviewing the remains of the day. i've got my work cut out for me and i've spent more time that what i should actually be spending working on it. editing the work of wordsmiths who indulge in their passion for poetry can be a catch-22. where do you start mouthing the oaths and remaining true to your editorial oath? the crux of the problem is that these poets are more learned than i am. i just

2005-11-29T01:05:00.000+08:00

ataya.... .... nganu buwak man ni akong header image?

2005-11-29T00:57:00.000+08:00

rediscovering music of the spheres. i met an old friend of mine from elementary and told him about this blog, and how i've written a few articles about some local bands. man... it's been a while since i've written anything at all!!! :( should look him up one of these days... wake up this blog before it reeks of online mildew.... john campbell, thanks for the title.

2005-10-19T02:31:00.000+08:00

into the bowels of a poetry site and the hack writer behind the veneer. What is well known is the writing on the wall, never the hand that pierces the blank and impresses thought so that even passersby may guess and expect that “Bawal Umihi Dito” is the beginnings of an ode great. ---- an idea hatched for a section in the site that features poets -- their bios, careers, and

2005-10-07T03:38:00.000+08:00

hello old friend. long time since i've been here. touch the desk and dust clings. hm. maybe my old mongol pencil is still around here somewhere --- ah... be back in a few minutes.

2005-03-14T17:02:00.000+08:00

DEKALIBERATION: The 10th year of the Bob Marley Fest In a metropolis where the Jamaican tri-color and reggae are ubiquitous --- seen painted jeepneys, on shirts and bags; tamhats worn by people of all ages; weekly reggae radio programs; and the occasional passerby humming “I Shot The Sheriff --- Cebu has become the hub for reggae music,

2005-03-09T10:02:00.000+08:00

------------------------------------ Do You Déjà Vu? Déjà vu. The feeling that you've been through a particular situation, event, or general feeling before. It's like a slap from an old girlfriend: You

2005-03-09T09:18:00.000+08:00

-------------------------- Wrote the following in response to alvin's "impromptu thoughts" (see smokemyganja.multiply.com). thought it apt to lift his spirits up. though, he usually does that for the lot of us most of the time. *sigh* even jesters get the blues.... ------- live dangerously. announce it to the world. make love precariously --- atop a speeding minivan enroute to

2005-03-03T17:57:00.000+08:00

-------------------- moving pictures. i wonder why so few people liked the village, the signs, the others and a

2004-10-28T16:29:00.000+08:00

-------------------------------- The secret is to every passionate encounter is Build-Up The secret to every passionate encounter is Build-Up When he, she, or whomever you would most expect –-- For whom you’re springing the surprise: Be it a show of black lace, or tight any-colored underwear Underneath thick clichés, in an air-conditioned room (I prefer black or gray briefs

2004-10-18T12:47:00.000+08:00

--------------------------------- I am Twilight Blue Violet Red, mauve and maroon I am brown swirling Mingling With shades of black and blue And gray I am Twilight Laundry hanging out to dry Being of heaven and earth Yet not In space all my own Not owned by soil Nor by sky Nor light Nor dark Till I am dry and lie again in slumber To clothe the creature

2004-10-08T16:12:00.000+08:00

-------------------------------- later in the day, when the initial spurts of enerygy wane my thoughts drift to you a tide pushing me closer to a familiar shore but i long for the sea. the promise of adventure strong in my mind the lure of the waves and other tides steeped by years of longing as if in waiting for that year-end holiday to come when i did nothing but prepare all year

2004-10-04T09:47:00.000+08:00

-------------------------------- Creek. It has a trickle-down effect really... No. More like a downpour. A crack in the wall, chip by chip till the there is not enough concrete or reason to hold back the downpour of tears. As Martin would say, “take away one, much more three, and we are like ants that scatter without the scent trail to follow...” When I left the creek, the only

2004-10-01T16:25:00.000+08:00

----------------------------- 10012004, 2.58PM Read a story from today’s issue of Freeman about our big boss Mike G. being denied entry into the Philippines. Here’s a most of the story: “Capitalist Micheal J. G. Gleissner, the major stakeholder and chairman of Bigfoot Solutions group of companies threatened to put off the company’s investment plans in the Philippines,

2004-09-28T10:28:00.000+08:00

-------------------------------- She Kissed Me Before Leaving She kissed me before leaving i could still feel the wetness impressed it tingles a warm feeling that runs from the soles of my feet to the lightheadedness in my head. though she has gone i could still feel the wetness of her kiss the soft touch of her lips lingers just above my cheek a light and teasing

2004-09-15T11:40:00.000+08:00

2004-08-31T15:53:00.000+08:00

---------------------------------- 08312004, 3.38PM stirrings. Drip from my body like water Cleanse me away as you slide off And onto the ground Slithering away into a sewers Are you not entertained as I By the night’s lusty proceeds Kept, stoked to juicy consistency Till oozing in abundance We could no longer hold it back. I feel toxic, yet however clean I now feel I have seen

2004-08-19T18:24:00.000+08:00

-------------------------------- In Light of the Da Vinci Code The thing about “The Da Vinci Code” is that it’s a good read. It may not be a great read yet it still seduces you into turning the next page, and then the next, the next... I don’t agree with something that Alvin, very good friend of mine, wrote in his review of Dan Brown’s DVC. But then again, we don’t always agree, and it

2004-07-02T16:15:00.000+08:00

------------------ JAS-F and JMG RENEW OLD RIVALRIES, CLASHES ENSUE (FIRST of FOUR PARTS.) by Bubs Sy, with reports by J.R. Aganas & Lowee Climaxkaduha Hundreds of young people clad in outlandishly colorful clothers were critically injured, and still others more were hurt as street rumbles flared simultaneously across the country, last Saturday, February 14, 2004, raging from four in the

2004-07-01T17:34:00.000+08:00

------------------- Dear Kuya Spartacus, Hi and 'low! How are you? We receive your letters everyday, and sometimes not so everyday of the week, but we still receive it somehow. How is your work as a engineer in Cebu City? We are all excited and proud to know that you are a engineer now in the City of Cebu. Every one of us all including Nanay, Tatay, Tiyo Densio, Lola Conchita, Lolo

2004-07-01T17:10:00.000+08:00

-------------------- [some stupid meandering idea that didn't let go till it came out so corny... fekt!] Dear Pattie, Greetings, cousin. I am writing to your in dire circumstances. As of this writing, the school has been attacked three separate times, all, ending unsuccessfully (thank the spirits!). However, we have lost three professors now and the dean is in the infirmary, resting

2004-06-23T20:13:00.000+08:00

------------------- blessings in dis guy Today, my faith in God has been rewarded. I applied for a copywriting position at one of Bigfoot’s new projects, itzamatch.com, and I think I’ve got a foot in the door. Another blessing I’ve received is for my free-lance writing. After writing for the reggae fest that’s happening at the end of this week (at the 27th --- see you all there!), Mam

2004-06-11T11:53:00.000+08:00

------------------- Cancer Ruler: Moon / Element: Water / Mode: Cardinal Pole: Negative / Third: Primordial / Half: Subjective Nurturing, support, belonging, emotional bonds; your roots, source, ground of your being; the unconscious, feelings, emotion; the Great Mother, Universal Womb; spirit's first emotional attachments to the world. Mothering, emotional and physical nurturance;

2004-06-08T09:57:00.000+08:00

-------------------- Disregard the plea death has no father to look up to nor is its mother given to random acts of kindness. i am death a coagulation of blood black blood a centuries-old vampire a lion pride stalking the old and infirmed that the strong may live (occasionally a wildebeest may stumble breaking its neck on rocky ground but don't concern yourself with pointless relativities)

2004-04-28T10:05:00.000+08:00

------------------- Anatomy of an email spanning two days and one slight glitch in the communication lines what the---?! hmm... i think naa friendster... anyways.... musta na? musta na imung feeling? take care of your health bai, ha. mao ra raba na'y lawas nimu... wa na'y lain. lisud ngita parts karun... unsay ayo diha? bagsak kaayo ko ron sa trabaho... hehehehehehehe, busy lagi

2004-04-21T16:52:00.000+08:00

------------------- CannonCreepies all: Thank you.

2004-04-21T12:55:00.000+08:00

------------------- All my brothers are married. The youngest, Robbie, got married in August of last year. He was 21 when he got married. I am 26, and I live alone in a 3rd floor bachelor’s pad in the center of Cebu City. I’ve got a laundrywoman who complains about the pains of being a single mother, and a building manager that who rants about the noise coming from my room, in the middle

2004-04-12T14:26:00.000+08:00

------------------- For a moment there, I thought she had committed suicide, or worse. There was a blind gap of five days that she didn't call, or visit. I was afraid that she was overcome by her sadness, stretched to a point where the only solace was in death itself. For almost a year now, I've known her --- but it seemed like she's always been there na. Gina is a friend, an officemate at

2004-04-06T20:38:00.000+08:00

----------------------------------- time: 8.38PM (Bigfoot Time) place: itzamatch office I miss my girlfriend. She's there waiting for me so we could go to her place together. Then, around 11 or 12, i leave for home. It paints a nice picture, actually: A young woman, ready a romance pocketbook. A glass of iced tea sweating on the table, as if anticipating the next sip. Her right leg would

2004-03-23T10:08:00.000+08:00

------------------------------------- [Martin, a really good friend of mine, sent me this email after he read my script, "CannonCreep." He's in the medical field, so that's probably why he was able to get into the what ifs and the nastiness of it all. or, he just felt like the CannonCreep, which really scares me just right about now.... mama....... help] for your blog, buddy [but its not

2004-02-26T12:03:00.000+08:00

------------------------ blogging is not for everyone's pleasure; it is for myself and my own opinions. people may read and not understand; they may read and find my stories and ideas different, and even offensive. ultimately, blogging asks: do you have what it takes to say what you want to say, to do what you want to do, and to try anything that will stretch your comfort zone a few inches

2004-02-23T17:29:00.000+08:00

-------------------------- Nontuition “The only way to say I love you is not to The only way that my heart beats is by beating The only way for you to see is to seek My love is not for the birds Words carried into the air, light as feathers My love will slap you on the cheek It is hot and ardent, beating as fists beat On naked skins Leaving no mark, except in the heart I love you I beat you

2004-02-23T17:01:00.000+08:00

--------------------------- Lost in trance-lation Psst... Ssssssst! ... (uh-hurm!) ... Psst... ssst... I love you. oist! Enough of this: Ani na lang... sendbacktheflowersigaveyouwheniwascourtingyou imdiggingagraveandputtingintoiteverythingthatremindsme thatiamanordinaryman. Weshouldstopthischaradethisdramaofthecenturytitlecontender. I am tired of running after you and

2004-02-23T09:04:00.000+08:00

-------------------- Dear Intoy, When you grow up and start having friends of your own, and start dealing with other people in different situations and environments, always remember one thing: Be true to yourself. Never --- NEVER, compromise what you believe in. NEVER compromise what you are. Be proud of who you are and never let anybody talk you down. You are who you are and you should be

2004-02-21T08:02:00.000+08:00

--------------------------- Bounce Bounce off the wall Bounce As you rotate in the air Be ready A shock of white Off-white Paint peeling Dust lightly tethered By dust-hooks Bounce away Away from the wall Shatter whatever hold The dust has on the wall Peel them off As you hurtle to the wall Come away without the anger Bounce it off the wall Or make lemonade Tickled pink And laugh All your

2004-02-12T15:08:00.000+08:00

--------------------------- I SPEAK I speak In dreams I seek I keep The poem I I whisper I touch I explore In dreams I adore The poem I In rapture sleep In vagueness seek In angst adore In dreams I bind The poem I Dream-bound Vague dreams Angst-bound The poem I (3.26pm/17 December 2003) ====================================

2004-02-12T11:11:00.000+08:00

--------------------------- Alvin, Geda and I went for a short cigarette break outside and talk turned to what we might name our kids. The almanac came up (I didn't know that name-giving had its own almanac...), then biblical names. Imagine calling your kid Gene (full name: Genesis Exodus Deuteronomy Numbers Proverbs L. Bugtai), or calling your sixth and seventh kid names from the NT (New

2004-01-28T17:19:00.000+08:00

--------------------------- If there were a moment that I would be hesitant, that I would shrink away from, hiding in a corner, facing that intersection of two blank walls, now would be that moment. You have beguiled me. You have trapped me in crystal. I am slave to your smile, to your voice. In the realms of touch, sight and taste, in thought, in dream, in timelessness, in the realm of

2004-01-26T15:36:00.000+08:00

Geda's grocery list for this month (January): --------------------------------------------- 1) Lysol spray, the white one (I swear, kumapal ang kuko ko...) 2) Powder detergent (Tide Ultra Nature Fresh with Mintirinse) 3) Dishwashing liquid refill (Joy, the one with the Green Apple flavor and Vit. A, for strong eyes.) 4) Hooks (for keys) 5) Can-opener (for cans) 6) Soap – 3 (Johnson's Baby Soap)

2004-01-26T13:12:00.000+08:00

[untitled] For the first few times, it was still okay. I mean, it was pretty obvious Larry and Tessa were into each other. They were like Siamese fighting fish: no barrier could simply stop them from engaging in physical contact, in any form or shape. They were in love. They cooed and gurgled sweet mushy tidings to each other in the office, in the comfort room (it was a common CR, Ally

2004-01-24T12:55:00.000+08:00

CANNONCREEP PROLOGUE [Scene 1: INT. IMAGES/SNAPSHOTS OF A FEMALE PERSON (Fem 1), MEDIUM BUILD, HAIR WITH LENGTH JUST BELOW THE SHOULDER, BRIGHT EYES, FINE NOSELINE, AND A BITTER SMILE.] [FEMALE VO: Fem 1] I’ll never forget that day for the rest of my life. Every night for the past two weeks, The scene has been repeating in my head In my dreams I hate Berto so much --- why did he do it?! I

2004-01-24T10:17:00.000+08:00

COMING SOON.... The first draft of the CannonCreep short film screenplay (ta-dah!). Apparent Disclaimer: While we don't have pretenses of making it big in the local film industry or abroad, it is the opinion of myself and, uh... of several other equally enthusiastic people (therefore 'we' --- daghan lagi mi...), that in being able to express ourselves in ghastly last-rate amateur

2004-01-23T08:23:00.000+08:00

... and then, there’s Alvin. There is something fascinating about Alvin’s essays and fiction. The words flow so smoothly that the reader is not conscious that he is being swept up in the moment, in the telling of the tale. Alvin, despite his adamant, and rather pointless, denial, is a writer. He lives in the ‘moment’: of the event, of the imagery, of the experience. And like a photographer,

2004-01-22T13:32:00.000+08:00

January 16, 2007 Dear Butch, Happy New Year!! I’ll be leaving for Cebu on Monday with Angelo and I hope that we could get together while I’m there. If you can round up the guys, the first round’s on me! Hehehe J I missed all of you and I can’t wait to see you guys again! It’s been what... three years, since our Cannon Creek days? Daghan bag-o diha? Oh, you don’t know the how difficult

2004-01-10T12:05:00.000+08:00

Late The orange man with long hair waits Late In a blue cardigan she pouts Late Heavy eyelids finally open Late A deadline in disguise Late Knowing only too late The summer in your eyes The courage in your smile The pounding of hearts Too late (3.30pm/17 December 2003) ====================================