Epekto ng eskandalo

Kaninang umaga, shocked pa ako e. Ang unang naisip ko, "Bakit naman kasi hindi nag-iingat e!" at "Ayan kasi, pamilyadong tao, gumaganun pa!" 

Pero habang umuusad ang araw naisip ko ang mas malalaking issue. Anung mangyayari sa pamilyadong taong sumusuporta sa kanyang pamilya? Ano na ang mangyayari sa pamilya nila? Paano na kaya yung mga batang sasalo sa sakit ng galit at puot sa pagitan ng ina't ama nila? 

Paano na kaya yung pobreng babae? Ano na ang kinabukasan niya at ng pamilyang pinapakain niya? Hindi na ba siya maaaring maging katanggap-tanggap dahil sa iisang (kahit mabigat pang) pagkakamali niya?

Sa bandang huli, hindi naman kasi ito tungkol sa mga magkakamali. Tungkol ito sa kahihinatnan ng lahat. Madaling manghusga. Pero di ba lahat tayo pag nagkamali ang unang linya e "hindi na ba ako mapapatawad sa pagkakamali ko?" at "Wala na bang tyansang maitama ko ang mga pagkakamali ko?"

Di ba't malaking kaipokritohan kung itatakwil natin ang mga tao dahil sa mga pagkakamaling maaaring minsan ay nagawa rin natin? (o kahit ibang maaaring kasing bigat na pagkakamali pa)

Sa mga nanghuhusga, sana maisip natin na ang kapatawaran at pag-intindi na maibibigay natin ay yung kapatawaran at pag intindi ring ibibigay sa atin.

Pinipili kong mas umintindi. Ang maawa. Ang maging taong tumatanggap ng pagkakamali. At taong papatawarin kung sakaling magkamali.

Sige na

Siguro nga ay mali

Na ako'y mawili

Dapat nga siguro'y nakita na dati

Na hindi ako ganun ka-lucky.

Pero hindi dapat, walang dapat sisihin

Dahil sa totoo lang, kung tutuusin

Ako mismo, ang aking sarili

Ang responsable't nagdala sa alanganin.

Kaya't ngayong gabi'y ibigay niyo na sa akin

Balikan ang lahat ng mga desisyong ginawa dati

Napakaraming palpak at mga pagkakamali

Hayaan niyo munang ako'y maglunod sa luha't magpakasenti.

Kaya samahan niyo na lang ako

Na maniwalang sa lalo't madaling panahon ay wala na ito

Sakit, kirot, at puot na dala-dala sa akinh puso

Upang ang lahat ng ito'y hindi ako magupo.

Sandali lang po, sige na please

Dahil pagtapos po nito, ako sa inyo'y babawi.

Iyong ala-ala sa aking kama

Heto na naman akong tulala, habang nakahiga sa kama,

Hindi na naman makatulog at iniisip ka.

Binabalikan ang mga oras na kapiling at kayakap ka,

Sinasariwa ang ilang hiram na oras ng saya.

Naghihintay ng mensaheng alam namang di na darating pa,

Sapagka't ikaw ngayo'y nahihimlay sa yakap ng iba.

Iniisip, hinihiling na sana ako na lang,

Ngayong gabi'y malamig, sana'y kayakap ka.

Ngunit ganun nga yata talaga,

Sa sitwasyon nati'y di talaga ako lubusang magiging maligaya.

Kaya eto ngayon ako, ipinagdarasal ka,

Na kung nasaa't sino man ang kasama ay tunay na maging masaya ka.

Ako ngayo'y napapaisip at magdududa,

Ako nga ba'y tunay na magiging maligaya pa?

Pano nga ba mahahanap ang saya,

Kung kaligayahan ko'y ikaw at wala nang iba.

Tayo ay parehong biniro ng tadhana,

Ngayo'y nagsisisi sa mga desisyon at bagay na ginawa.

Mga bagay na kahit anung gawin pa,

Hindi na maibabalik at maitatama pa.

Kaya eto na naman akong, tulala't nakatihaya,

Sa aking kamang malamig at walang kasama.

Iniiisip ng maigi kung paano nga ba,

Hahanapi't masusunpungan tunay na ligaya?

Magpapatuloy bang sa mga hiram at lihim na sandali ay magkakasya?

Hanggang kailan kaya itong puso'y patuloy na mapasasakitan pa?

Kaya ngayon, dito sa aking kama,

Aakapin ko ang unan at iisiping kapiling ka.

Kaniig sa gabing malamig, tunay na nakakapgpasaya,

Kahit alam kong ito'y hindi na ata magiging totoo pa.

Binabalikan na lamang ang saya na kasama ng iyong ala-ala.

Pangarap

Ngayong ako'y hihimlay, papangarapin kita. Iisiping hindi imposibleng maging akin ka. Dun sa pangarap ay tayo ang para sa isa't isa.

At kahit muling magising pa, sa mundong wala ka. Sapat na ang lahat para ako'y sumaya. Sapagkat kahit sandali, sa kasuluk-sulukan ng aking diwa, ika'y inibig at nakaniig. Habambuhay dadalhin, matatamis na ala-ala nung ika'y nasa aking piling.

The First-Generation Mazda 3 1.6S: 10 Years After It's Debut, Is It Still Relevant?

(I am writing another review for our 1^st generation Mazda 3 1.6 as I cringe every time I get to read my older review. Here’s to a hopefully better review.)

The first-generation Mazda 3 was a revelation for Mazda. Unless you’re a car nut, you would’ve probably not known that Mazda produces some of the best-handling Japanese cars in history. However, their rather expensive servicing, unimpressive engine performance and dismal fuel consumption has left the brand way behind Japanese powerhouses Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi. The Mazda 3 has brought back the Japanese carmaker to relevance. 10 years after its unveiling, is the first-generation Mazda 3 still relevant?

Interiors

The Mazda 3’s looks, despite its age, still kicks ass. The interior may be simple but its one of the classiest during its time. It is a great place to be in where everything that you need is within reach. Let us not forget that it had great features like a multi-information display, three-cluster instrumentation, rheostat, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls that were only present in more expensive midsize sedans. I even dare say that the car can still hold its ground when placed beside newer car models. Yes, there's cheap plastics all around but it has one of the best laid out instrumentation and interiors in the compact car segment.

The only downside of this car's interior is it's rear legroom. At 5'6", I am not exactly tall. But I feel a bit cramped inside it. People who suffer from claustrophobia will definitely feel a bit ill in the rear seats. Plus, the thud that comes from the closing of the rear doors aren't that reassuring. But you're not supposed to enjoy the car from the backseat anyways because the driver seat is where you should be.

Ride

The 3 still gives its driver a great drive. In fact, it is one of the most, if not the most, fun-to-drive cars in its class. With its 4-wheel completely independent suspension, it absorbs almost all bumps just fine and it grips the road well, making it a joy to throw in corners. The car handles too well that it boosts your confidence while behind its wheel, making you want to drive faster while attacking corners; and that is where the car doesn’t shine well.

The downside? There is too much noise, vibrations, and harshness. While on the road and driving at speed, you'd hear the noise the tires makes as it seem to effortlessly enter the cabin. Mazda could've utilized better use of insulation for the car but that would make the car even heavier. Why do I have an issue of it's weight? I will get to that later.

Performance, or the lack of it

The 1.6 liter 16-valve twin-cam engine with Mazda’s Sequential Valve Timing, or S-VT in Mazda speak, has been and will always be underpowered by its contemporaries' standards. While Hondas, Hyundais, and Toyotas’ 1.6 engines produce a little over 128 horses, the Mazda L6 engine only manages to produce 103. That’s almost 25 horses less against the competition. With a stone-age 4-speed automatic transmission, the car feels heavier and more underpowered. So don’t expect the 3 to win drag races. Sure, powerful engines tend to consume more fuel, but fuel efficiency has not been, and never will be one of this car’s strengths. 

There are other problems with the car too. The base model Mazda does not have ABS, EBD, and it only has a driver-side airbag. Seeing car crashes left and right, you might want to feel safer with your car and you might want to have more safety features built in standard. But if you dig a safer car, then you should have gotten your hands on the pricier 1.6V or the range-topping 2.0R.

There are times when you want to drive and feel the road literally. You want to feel the car take on the road (and the bumps on it), and hear the car go faster. However, the suspension can be a bit on the stiff side for daily use. Plus, the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels of the 3 can be a little too high, making it uncomfortable to drive on the highway. Unless of course, you're a real car nut and you do appreciate these little issues with the car.

Relevant?

Yes the 3 is a very old car, hence its shortcomings by today's standards. Its looks may be a bit outdated, it doesn’t have much toys, it may not win drag races, and it may not be as frugal as its competitors. But if you have a limited budget and you are looking for a nice-looking car that does the job well and brings joy to your face whenever you take on corners, then the first-generation Mazda 3 1.6 is still a good choice for you. And a great car like the Mazda 3 will always be relevant for you.

Sweetest Taboo

I’m a moth and you are my flame. I am mesmerized with your glorious glow. Even if I know that you could be my very death, I’d still want to get close to you and feel your warmth. 
Here I am waiting. Till the soft breeze pushes you into my direction. I’d risk my wings, I’d take a fall. I’d risk my life, I’d risk it all. I’d take my chances. Cause I’d do anything to have you, or nothing at all.

Mind Montage

In my head, I have the most extensive, most beautiful photo collage of you. Sadly I can't print a hard copy of it. And that is why I am always looking forward to every night's long slumber (in our case hot mornings). Because in there I know, I can revisit those beautiful, vivid images of you.

A Not So Open Letter For You

Hi,

I should be sleeping now, but since I’ve just had my lunch and I still need to rest a bit before hitting the sack, I felt like writing you an open letter. A letter that I won’t be personally sending to you; a letter that contains everything that I feel or think about when I am reminded of you. A letter that I wanted you to know about but I am too scared to directly send you.

When I first saw you, all I saw was just a typical college graduate who’s trying to land a job. Yes you’re glowing; that beaming flawless complexion is something that’s hard to ignore. But I first really took a good look at you was when you started working. We all introduced ourselves to each other and all I could say at that time was, “ang cute ne’tong babaeng ‘to. Charming”. That’s about it.

Strangely though, every day, the feeling got stranger and stronger. I don’t really know if it’s because I was starting to like you or is it because of our colleagues’ nagging teasing. Then you added me on Facebook. To be honest, nag-feeling ako. Ako lang ba naman yung ni-add mong guy sa IT group.  (Though I honestly don’t know if you really added me up by yourself or is it because somebody influenced you into doing it, just like when you talked to me when everybody else made you ask me to get them some pancit malabon) It must have meant something. Pero syempre, that was only wishful thinking. I was seriously hoping that it really meant something but well, I can’t really be so sure. It could actually mean nothing. 

I was very happy with the past few days that we were conversing. I wanted to get to know you more. Sadly, the endless teasing has been making you uncomfortable. What I want you to know is that I really like you and I am dead serious about you. But it’s not like I am going to court you agad. I honestly don’t even know if I have a chance with you, or if you like me too to make me even court you.

I know you might be feeling awkward when I'm around, or when the guys in the office tease us. Let me tell you something though, you don’t have to feel icky around me. All that I want you to know is that for now, I am okay with this set-up. I love admiring you from a distance. Creepy as it is, I want to silently steal glances at you, while you are giggling with the rest of them gals. I want you to know that you are one of the reasons why I am inspired reporting for work lately. I want you to know how your smile makes my day and that your cute voice makes me smile. This might not necessarily be love. Perhaps not yet. All I know right now is that I like you and that you’re the one who brightens up my day. A brightness that starts at 11pm and ends around 8 am after you've punched your out entry on your time card. From Monday nights to Saturday mornings excluding holidays.


You are my inspiration. You are the one that fires up my passion. Thank you. Here's to more charmed weeknights with you. Pero sana, may pag-asa no?

Messed Up Game

Whenever San Mig Coffee loses, you'd normally see me berate the team for their lackadaisical performance. I'd complain about Yap taking too many forced shots. Devance being too soft a forward. Simon's inconsistent games. Marc Barocca taking shots too many when he should be passing. Not to forget Denzel Bowles' undeniably lower level of play. I'd be completely happy to see Coach Luigi Trillo and his boys get one from their former coach as it will happen sooner or later. I like Calvin Abueva's addition to the Aces as he seems to be the missing piece that the team needs to be a competitive team in the PBA.

That is not happening tonight though. I think that SMC played well tonight. Played hard. They were definitely not close to their condition when they won game one. However, the refs' calls (or the lack of it) killed every chance of the team to get a win. Yap played well, dishing assists to teammates and getting rebounds. But Abueva robbed him of 3 fouls which the refs gave to the latter on a silver platter. Abueva would clip Yap's arms and fall down. People were saying that Abueva could pass as a great actor but I beg to differ. He was playing dirty and the refs just had problems with their vision that’s why they’d call the foul on the Mixers instead of Abueva. The Barroca foul on a shooting Casio is one of the worst calls I’ve seen. After all the hacking and pulling down of Abueva on Yap, not one foul on Abueva was called. There was virtually no contact on the shot; but because Casio’s skin hair was shaken up, the refs called the foul on Barroca.

I could go on and on to complain about the many bad or non-calls made by the refs but that would be an exercise in futility as the Aces still wonn over the Mixers tonight. I can give out all the reasons why the PBA board should review this game and make the necessary adjustments to regulate the physicality of the game.

Yes my boys were dominated by Alaska but they were not psych-ed by Abueva alone. The refs played a huge role in preventing the Mixers spark a run. I don’t have a problem with physicality as it is a part of the game. But this is not healthy anymore. And that is what I am pissed off with right now.

Question is, what does Coach Luigi Trillo has to say after being fined a number of times for complaining about the refs' bad or non-calls as well as the extreme physicality they have been receiving now that his boys (especially Abueva) initiated the extreme physicality in this game? Will he be happy with the way he got his first win over Tim Cone given that he had received help from the refs? What will the PBA do about this and the other dirty games that have been happening in the league?

Your guess is as good as mine.