My fishbowl's getting smaller! (ask me why! Yahu!)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Filipino English: The Mr. & The Sir
Ok, pagkakataon ko na to make things right. Doing the Samoan play Where We Once Belonged today at the Concert Chamber Town Hall, and I was told manonood nanaman si Auntie PM..
Tuny: [Ayan na sya! Inhale...] Good evening Mister Prime Minister.... [NAKUPO! Tanga!!!! Bumawe ka! Bumawe kahh!!]
MP H. Clark: Oh... Hello good evening, how are you today?
Tuny: [Hay salamat inde ata nakahalata] I'm very good Sirestemam! (Ulk! Wahh!! Kase naman eh!!!)....
MP H. Clark: ???
Tuny: Uhhh [Esep-esep]... You may come in now...
Nak nang puting sheep naman, hahaha, kainezzz. Nataranta ako ehhh. Kung inde matupad ang mga bilateral trade agreements natin with NZ, kasalanan ko na po yun! Huhuhu!
Ever wake up in the middle of the night with a uncontrollable urge that made you twist and turn, grumble and mumble? I did, and at 4AM, Biyernes Santo, I opened my eyes and told myself "I'm going to run to 14 churches today."
Nothing holy really, but a result of frustration. Was planning to go to Cape Reinga for the long weekend, but it didn't push through. I didn't want to waste the day, so I slept thinking what I should do Friday.
I thought running was just perfect. I could perform my penitensya, get my excercise, and see parts of Auckland I've never been to. So after getting that out of my system, I slept, woke up at 9AM, took a shower and kumain ang tira-tirang tocino. I went to online to wises.co.nz and typed in "Catholic Churches" under business name.
The reds mark Catholic Churches in Auckland City. After admiring my masterpiece, I was off at 11am.
I decided to start my run at Balmoral and took the bus from the flat. People complain about the bus here, but I love it. It's reliable, clean and inde ka ma-tra-traffic because of bus lanes. Yun nga lang lahat ng suburbs dadaanan (kung from CBD eh 15 mins lang by car to Sylvia Park, sa bus eh 1 hour).
After getting off, my penitensya didn't run as smoothly as I hoped. Spent an hour looking for the first church, asked around, but was pointed to an Anglican, Samoan Church and an Indian temple (They were all in one street). Shows how much tolerant NZ is to religion. Later on in my run that day I even found Tom Cruise's church.
Finally, I found Good Shepherd Churchunofficially the bastion of Filipino catholicism in New Zealand. May Filipino Mass (even a pinoy priest) dito every 11am Sunday, and after the mass para kang nasa Divi, kasi me mga nagtitinda kasi ng sisig, laing, igado at bibingka sa parking lot(yu-mmmyyy). No food today, so after my prayers I was off.
It's 3.5Km to St. Francis Friary in Hillborough. Mejo maaraw, so was trying to run under every shade I can find. Good thing I met the Laderas family and they offered me a ride. Formerly from Bulacan, almost 10 years na sila dito. Their daughter can understand Filipino but not speak it. I wonder if the same happens to the girls.
I think this is Assumption Churxh in Onehunga. That's the Laderas family walking in.
Then to Christ the King in Mt. Roskill.
Next was St. Therese Church at Three Kings, and said goodbye to the Laderas. Good people, and I hope to bump into them again.
Naku po, not sure how to get back on track and didn't have a city map. I ran for 20 minutes till I saw the summit of...
... One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park. I could see it in my wises map, and I ran 4.1Km to reach it. Nagbaon ako ng konting tocino at rice, and had lunch under a tree while being serenaded by a Tui. I love Auckland Parks, fresh, cool, clean at pwede ka humilata sa makapal na grass at alang langgam na kakagat sa dragon balls mo, hehe.
Pahinga muna bay, kasi umpisa pa lang ang penitensya. The next leg is a about 8-9K.
Great South Road, Ellerslie Panmure Hway... Nyaks, ang init at parang gusto ko na mag-bus, pero iniisip ko na lang eh "8K na lang... 6k... 4K... 2K..."
Finally, St. Patrick's Church. To find it I had to ask a homeless person. Don't be afraid to ask for directions here in Auckland, mababait naman ang mga tao(halos). Yung tinanong ko nga eh sinamahan pa ako hanggang makita ko ang church. Also saw this nice heritage house.
6 churches down, 8 more to go. The next one should be close, 2.9Km. I felt a sneaking chill rise from my spine while in this leg. Somehow I felt I shouldn't be here. Oh-oh...
Kung me Tundo sa Pinas, me South Auckland naman dito sa NZ. It's a rough urban area with a large Polynesian and Maori community and I was sticking out like a sore thumb. It's known for having large gangs like the Mongrel Mob & Black Power. I asked for directions from a Samoan and all I got is "No!"
Ngeee... After an hour I found the church but it was behind a row of houses and fences. It's a small one at 5 Waddel Avenue, and could only see the cross. Didn't dare go and made a sign of the cross na lang (baka brief na lang suot ko paglabas). I also looked at the clock and it was 5pm. Have run about 20Ks and a bit tired. Really tired.
I tried getting on a bus, but the driver didn't have change, so had to get off and sit on the curb to catch the next one which arrives an hour later. And I didn't feel very safe, with young hoodies driving pass in cars staring, one group shouting and laughing at my direction before racing off. Immature jerk-offs. Happens a lot here.
I love the Irish. The green, leprechauns, and the cool Gaelic accent and slang:
- Top O' The Mornin' (Good Morning!) - Begosh and Begorrah (Used like "By GOD!") - How-ar-yah!? (How are you?) - Shiver-me-timbers...
Errr.. not exactly the lasy one, but they do talk like pirates to my ears.
March 1 was St. Patrick's Day, patron saint of the Ireland. Took some photos of the parade in Queen St. That's just one of the benefits of city living, just walk out of your appartment, and you're right in the middle of the action.
The gray building on the far right (with a tower) is The Mighty Civic where I work part time. If you want to see it from inside, watch King Kong tonight (it's the theatre where Kong was presented and escaped from after he was caught).
To be a good belly dancers must mean having a lot of belly. Ang lalakas ng loob (Mga girls sa Pinas, rejoice! Pagdating nyo dito payat na kayo, hehehe).
I dunno what the Japanese and Chinese have in common with St. Patrick or the Irish that they were in the parade, but they did look pretty. Oh! The clock tower on the background is the Auckland Town Hall, where I also work part time. Go here if you want to see the APO or the NZSO (pronounced N-zed-S-o).
Bag pipers! Cute Irish girls in traditional dancing garb. The curly hair is actually part of the costume.
Not part of the parade, but saw this Japanese busker doing some serious music. He's really impressive, sounding like a whole orchestra (Hanep!).
Same with this stringed duo doing The Corrs. Kaingit noh, papasa kaya ang banda-rito-banda-doon talents ko dito? Makabuo nga ng sarili kong band (Me kilala ka bang expert sa garapitik and tyan-bol)?
Naalala ko tuloy yung mga tugtugan namin sa Sampaloc 10 years ago nung member pa ako ng Knights Choir sa San Roque Parish Church (We looked shockingly the same like etong mga tambay below. Hay, the life we left behind, ka-miss noh?).
Ang sarap sanang maging bida Sa sariling kong pelikula Ninja, kumakain ng bala Magaling sumayaw parang john travolta Ka-love team ko ang lahat Nang magaganda at seksing artista Kissing scene kay aubrey miles o Angel locsin
Libre lang mangarap Walang hanggan na pag-hiling Libre lang mangarap Managinip ka
Babala sa mga manonood: HUWAG nyo itong panooring kung me job interview within the next 24 hours:
Nyahahaha... Naku po, gusto ko man eh inde ko makayanang i-play uli ito(sabi ni Gene "Patayan mo yan! Nakakahawa yan!").
Nakakahiya. Well I must say pag andyan na ang pressure at tensyon na parang avalanche, eh kung ano-ano rin ang masasabi mo. Like nung napilitan akong sumali sa Mr. AB:
Judge: If you were asked asked to choose to lose one of your senses, which one would it be....
Tuny: [Naku po, ano ba 'to, parang question ng tino-torture?? Sight? Inde na ka makakanood ng TV... Taste kaya? Ulol, pano ka makakain ng maayos... Baka pwedeng World Peace na lang...].
Judge: ...and why?
Tuny: I personally believe... That I would rather lose my hearing... Because... [Mumbles incoherently]... You know... Uhm... (look sa sky... Ah!) YOU CAN HEAR WITH YOUR HEART!! I thank you (bow).
Mga classmates, gago kayo, hehehe, thank you at pinahamak nyo ako ha (syet). 5 days akong pag napapapikit na para matulog eh, napadilat bigla't naalala ang kahindik-hindik na karanasang ito (parang war shock!).
Pero mabalik kay Janina San Miguel, eh naku ineng, wag ka magalala. Despite the criticisms, wag ka matakot itayo ang bandera ng Pilipinas (Represent!). We believe in you at maganda ka naman eh, wag ka na lang mag-English (my honest and sincere suggestion). Magko-contribute na lang kami na lagyan ang interpreter mo sa Q&A para gumanda sagot mo. Idaan mo na lang sa kendeng, quarter turn at marcha (ilang percent lang naman ang intellect sa criteria). Look at Manny Pacquiao, inde naman sya natatalo sa boxing maski bali-bali english (sabagay, tapos na ang boxing pag ininterview na sya.).
At guys, wag nyo sya i-compare kay Melanie naman, baka magalit yun at sumagot ng "Oh flease, I'm better-rerrr than her, duhh!!"
Kung inde pa kayo sawa. eto naman si Miss South Carolina '07! At least magaling sya mag-english.
Joke lang yun noh, natural magaling sya mag-english (magaling din parents nya eh, hahaha!). What if she made a 911 phone call?
I'm starting a new thread, and its about the good 'ol days before playstations, computers, mp3s, and virtual sex life-- The Analog TV.
It may not be packed with features (no remotes, just a dial, and may not even work with cable), but it is full of all those good things that's the 80's: Voltes V, Super Friends, Shaider, The Great Space Coaster, to Gerry Geronimo's Ating Alamin, Student Canteen, Chito Loyzaga's barreling moves, and the golden age of That's Entertaiment (when JC Bonin was the man, not Bryle Mondejar).
And although the analog TV had died a natural death, along with the baston pants, hanging shirt, the Apple haircut and Rick Ashley, thanks to You Tube we can still download the 80's to our heart's delight (Or maybe until you reach your broadband limit).
So umpisahan na natin, starting with this!
The longest running afternoon TV show, Eat Bulaga, and their fantastic dance contests. Those were the days na the in-thing was fantasy (nakita nyo yung mala-Teletubbies na dancers??? Hehehe) and reality TV meant The News (which was then as boring as hell, and a good excuse to eat brocolli dinner).
Eenie-mini-miney-moe... Which is the best flat where we should go...
That's my Trade Me watchlist. Hopefully one of these will be our first nest in NZ when the family arrives in mid-May. Pam and I decided that we're NOT renting a house in the suburbs, and instead getting a flat(a small apartment) in the city.
It's a decision that actually took a while, but we think we made the right one-- and will surely be met with objections from friends ("No! That's wrong... Mahirap maglipat ng gamit... Mahal parking... Masikip... Mahirap magbyahe... It's not convenient.. Kung ako ikaw, ito ang gagawin ko...").
I appreciate well-meaning comments, pero some people lang just shoot their mouths off with such ignorance. Dati I mentioned flatting will let me walk to work, nasabihan ba naman akong "Eh ang hirap sayo, ang iniisip mo lang eh kung ano ang convenient sayo!"
AsarRRRRR!! How dare he say I'm prioritizing my personal comforts over my family. Kung hindi lang sya kaibigan, na-ultraelectromagnetic-top ko na sya. He's renting a dream, 3-bedroom, $375 a week house kasi on the side of a hill-- Ang ganda talaga (nice neighborhood, a deck, garage, off street parking, etc.). Pero my problem with that is he says he's only saving $5 a week from his salary, so he has to share his dream house, renting out two rooms to make ends meet (ika nga nya, bahala na).
I didn't say anything because I admire his faith, and trust he's doing what's right for his family. But just don't say what's good for his will work for mine. Every family is different, and I can't screw in a screw if you hand me a hammer.
By flatting, we won't get that dream house now (with a lawn, a garden and a white picket fence under beach or bay views), pero we'll enjoy the benefits of city living: - We can just walk (to work, to the grocerry, to the hospital, etc.). - Pam & Julia won't get bored, with shops, cafes and parks minutes away. - Easier for job hunting (for Pam). - It's a lifestyle we've always wanted to try (Like CBD living in Makati!).
And the biggest benefit in flatting, to us, is the savings. - We can afford our own place. - We don't have to buy a car now (it's just a burden). - Won't have to buy furniture, since most flat are furnished. - I can keep my part time job in the city. - We can save for our dream house (Who says your dream house is the one you rent anyway!). - We can send more money home.
Why send money home? We'll we've also decided to leave the twins behind muna with their Lola until we get settled (maybe 6 months to a year). It's a decision many people will not understand, and I don't blame them since I thought the same until I had my own family.
Moving is an emotional and difficult decision. And it's not even unique: How many OFWs do you know who have been forced to leave their families temporarily for a better future? Sometimes you just have to make tough decisions, and sacrifice a lot to gain in life.
It's like climbing a scree: One step up feels like two steps down.
But I'm not worried. I know we'll eventually get up there anyway.
I’ll be at the call center Until something better Comes along my way It’s been a long, long day
Sa Pinas nga lang pala me-connect-ment ang pimple at pagiging in-love. Naalala ko tuloy bigla si Vincent Dafalong (~~Nunal sa ulo - Mautak daw... Nunal sa bibig - Chismosa daw!~~) hehehe.
Once an ordinary farm boy in the quiet town of Sampaloc-- NOT!
Lives with his wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs and a turtle in Las Pinas.-- NOT!
Trying to make a living in Middle Earth (with the Orcs, not the Hobbits.. Dang!)
I decided to start my run at 
It's 3.5Km to St. Francis Friary in Hillborough. Mejo maaraw, so was trying to run under every shade I can find. Good thing I met the Laderas family and they offered me a ride. Formerly from Bulacan, almost 10 years na sila dito. Their daughter can understand Filipino but not speak it. I wonder if the same happens to 
Not part of the parade, but saw this Japanese 
